Location-based Alerts from Homeland Security

There’s been a bit of buzz on the U.S. Homeland Security department preparing to send emergency info to wireless devices. An article at Information Week gets into the possible technology providers. It profiles SquareLoop, which according to its COO is unique because of its locating technology that does not involve tracking and its ability to send messages with unique tones. What interest me was the location technology.

[SquareLoop COO] Walsh insists SquareLoop is mindful of personal privacy because the company doesn’t track a person’s location. Instead, it relies on an application downloaded on the phone and the phone’s wireless receiver to filter messages, which contain a target location and time frame. The phone then determines if the message applies.

So, essentially, the technology is built on a fences - if you are inside the area, you get the message, if not you don’t . But if you cross into the area after the alert, you’ll get it at that point.