Amazon may begin spying on Kindle users.

We don't need to tell you how big an issue tracking software is. What we do need to tell you about is a new patent from Amazon that lays out its plan to track and predict your movements via mobile devices.

Made public last week, the patent describes a system that allows mobile devices — read Kindles, or a future Amazon phone — to track the geographical position of users, and then use that information to predict their likely next steps. The intention is then to use that information to better target ads, coupons, or other messages, that could appear either on the mobile device itself, or on big screens or other displays on the person's route.

Though the patent's not clear what data it would use to do all this, it could obviously use GPS, cell tower triangulation, or, to make it work with all Kindles, even wifi connections to spot location. That same data can then be used to estimate speed and direction of travel in order to predict future movements. The patent also describes how the predicted location would be used to take bids from third parties that want to send marketing messages. That's not a new concept in itself, but tied in with geographical targeting and digital snooping, it makes for a potent combination.
http://gawker.com/5868327/will-amazon-soon-spy-on-you-through-your-kindle?tag=privacy