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TomTom, a navigation solutions provider announced today a traffic information system based on location data of mobile phones.

The breakthrough, patented TomTom HD Traffic technology uses raw, anonymous GSM signaling data made available through the partnership between TomTom and Vodafone. This data is merged with existing traffic sources to deliver the world’s most advanced traffic data.

Pro: Probably more accurate data on traffic congestions.

Con: Real-time, real-life implementation of user tracking via mobile phone without explicit agreement. Sure, no end user will be able to see who’s phone is moving along the road, but what about the man in the middle? I wonder at which point in the data chain the information is neutralized and what interfaces are providing the “detailed” view. A nice side effect is that TomTom knows about speeders before most other people. Maybe this can even become a new business domain; target group: the police / government.

I’d like to know under which section in these vodafone contracts it states “I agree that my localization can be used by third parties.”

I also found this one

TomTom reckons that information can be sold back to motorists and fleet managers as more accurate traffic data than they’re currently getting from the many services already sending out congestion alerts.

So you better hope you drive on a busy road at night, otherwise your boss will always know where you are, when you take your brakes, and maybe even tells you when you wasted time by driving to slow.

Let’s see about the next level of escalation.