Taser: From stun gun to spying tool?

The days when Taser is simply known as a law enforcement device are over. The Taser (an acronym for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle) trademark has provided both young and old a sense of security since developing the stun gun in 1969. Its popularity resulted in the use of the word "taser" as a noun referring to any electroshock weapon, in general, and stun guns, in particular. The word has also become a popular verb. On Superpoke!, a Facebook application that allows you to "do" certain actions to a friend (or more appropriately, post these "actions" on a friend's Wall), it's featured under "mean" actions as a sort of joke (Read: "X has tasered Y"). 

In the days ahead, "taser" is yet to acquire a new connotation: from protection to privacy breach. This morning, I came across the Tech News that Taser has come up with a phone application called "Mobile Protector." It's designed to enable parents to monitor their kid's mobile phone use. With this application, parents can block contacts and screen the text messages and calls that their kids receive and send. Services like these have been around since 2007, but Mobile Protector levels things up by allowing parents to listen in on the phone calls! The people behind Mobile Protector say that when this happens, it's going to be announced to both parties that the call is being shadowed. Still, I can't get over the thought of having a parent eavesdrop on me as I indulge in girl-talk. Taser further claims that it's not spyware, but what else would you call an application that gives someone so much control over somebody else's communication system?


I can understand how much important it is to provide guidance and protection, especially to kids. I'm all right with the porn-blocking features and the GPS tracking, especially during emergency situations, but for the Mobile Protector to allow a parent to disable the phone for a specific period? Wow, that's remote grounding! Using the application, someone can pull up records from your phone, such as calls made, text messages received and sent, and last known location, among other data. That's like sending the FBI after you. Tough love, indeed!


Aside from the privacy issue, my main concern is this: what if the application falls into the wrong hands? Won't this endanger kids even more? Watching shows like CSI and Criminal Minds has taught me that perpetrators use the same strategies and tools that law enforcers do. Think about it: what if your Mobile Protector falls into the hands of a potential sex offender? Would it make you sleep better at night?


Taser's Mobile Protector will be out in the market by summer, and subscription rates will range from $10-$30. Let the buyer beware!



(Photo credit:  abcnews.go.com)