Location apps have become increasingly relevant in today’s society, offering functionalities ranging from urban navigation to real-time monitoring of individuals. These resources have become essential in a connected world, in which people need fast and effective solutions to get around, communicate and protect themselves. With the constant advance of technology and increased digital dependency, these tools have come to play a critical role in users’ day-to-day decisions. This article aims to discuss the evolution, the main technological elements involved, practical applications, benefits, risks and ethical challenges of location apps. In addition, a comparative analysis is presented between different platforms and technologies used, as well as a bibliographic review according to the standards of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), promoting a critical reflection on their presence in everyday life and the impact of their use on contemporary social and technological behavior.
With the increasing mobility of modern society and the proliferation of mobile devices, location apps have come to play a key role in various spheres of everyday life. From their use for logistical and transportation purposes to their use in social networking and personal security, these apps offer innovative, real-time solutions to millions of users. The constant presence of these resources on mobile devices enables a level of connectivity and information that has transformed the way we relate to the space around us. In addition, easier access to the internet and greater integration between devices have contributed to the consolidation of these tools in everyday life.
The aim of this article is to explore in depth the technical, social and ethical aspects involved in the development and use of location apps, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject. This approach seeks to understand the impact of these technologies on society and everyday dynamics, reflecting on the practical and philosophical implications of their large-scale adoption. Through a critical and grounded analysis, the aim is to raise questions about the ethical and legal limits of geolocation in the current context.
Geolocation concept
Geolocation is the process of identifying the geographical position of a device (or person) on a map. This functionality is made possible by technologies such as GPS (Global Positioning System), mobile phone towers and Wi-Fi networks. The accuracy of these methods depends on the infrastructure available and the technology of the device, varying according to the geographical location and environment where the user is, such as dense urban areas or remote rural areas. This variety of applications and contexts requires increasingly adaptable and efficient solutions that can act in real time even in the face of technical and environmental limitations.
Historical Evolutionca
Since the creation of GPS in the 1970s by the United States, location technology has undergone several improvements. The popularization of smartphones from the 2010s onwards boosted the development of apps with tracking functionality. Over the years, advances in Since the creation of GPS in the 1970s by the United States, location technology has undergone several improvements. The popularization of smartphones from the 2010s onwards boosted the development of applications with tracking functionality. Over the years, advances in connectivity, data processing and miniaturization of components have made it possible for affordable and effective solutions to emerge for both consumers and companies. As a result, access to geolocation is no longer restricted to military or industrial applications, but has become an integral part of the daily lives of billions of people around the world.connectivity, data processing and miniaturization of components have made it possible for affordable and effective solutions to emerge for both consumers and companies. As a result, access to geolocation is no longer restricted to military or industrial applications, but has become an integral part of the daily lives of billions of people around the world.
Technologies involved
Main Technologies Used in Location Apps
| Technology | Description | Average Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Satellites that triangulate device position | 5-10 meters |
| GSM | Cell tower signals | 50-200 meters |
| Wi-Fi | Location based on known networks | 10-50 meters |
| Bluetooth | Used for indoor positioning (beacons) | 1-10 meters |
Urban Mobility
Applications such as Google Maps, Waze and Moovit help millions of people every day to find routes, avoid traffic jams and access public transport efficiently. These tools have become indispensable in big cities, where traffic can be unpredictable and urban mobility represents one of the biggest challenges for public administrations. In addition, they promote greater integration between different modes of transport, optimizing users’ time. These resources have had a direct impact on the way people plan their journeys, contributing to a more rational use of urban infrastructure and a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels.
Security and Monitoring
Tools such as Life360 and Find My iPhone allow families to track the location of their family members in real time, increasing personal safety and peace of mind. In emergency situations, such as accidents or disappearances, these applications become key allies for a rapid response. The possibility of creating arrival or departure alerts for specific locations also adds extra layers of protection and control. This type of resource has been widely adopted by parents, carers of the elderly and even educational institutions, broadening the scope of its application and relevance.
Logistics and Deliveries
Delivery companies such as iFood, Uber Eats and Amazon rely heavily on location systems to optimize routes and predict delivery times. Real-time tracking improves the customer experience, who can follow their order from origin to delivery. In addition, the applications allow for greater logistical control, a reduction in operating costs and a significant improvement in service efficiency. The implementation of intelligent routing algorithms and artificial intelligence has further raised the quality standards of these operations.
Tourism and Exploration
Applications such as TripAdvisor and Airbnb use geolocation to suggest tourist attractions, restaurants and accommodation close to the user. They promote a personalized experience adapted to the place visited, favoring local tourism and the economy of small businesses. In addition, integration with ratings and comments allows for safer choices aligned with individual preferences. The use of these tools also helps to plan itineraries more efficiently and safely, especially for tourists in unfamiliar regions.
Agriculture and Environment
In precision agriculture, geolocation applications help to monitor plantations, enabling the localized application of inputs and productivity analysis. In addition, they are widely used for environmental monitoring, such as tracking fires, deforestation and wildlife movements in conservation areas. These technologies contribute significantly to sustainable practices and the more efficient use of natural resources. The ability to integrate real-time data into agricultural management enables evidence-based decision-making, raising the level of efficiency in the sector.
Health and Well-being
In the area of health, there are apps that use location to monitor physical activities such as walking and running, suggesting safer or more appropriate routes for exercise. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several location-based solutions were used to track contacts and limit the spread of the virus. This demonstrates the potential of these apps not only for individual well-being, but also as public health tools in emergency contexts. In addition, the data collected by these systems can be analyzed to promote more effective public health policies targeted to local needs.
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REFERENCES
MORAES, R. The evolution of geolocation systems: from GPS to smartphones. São Paulo: Editora Tech, 2019.
OLIVEIRA, J. Tracking technologies and privacy in the digital age. 2. ed. Rio de Janeiro: Atlas, 2021.
SOUZA, A. Geolocation and the connected society. Belo Horizonte: UFMG Press, 2020.
