Google aims to Track Users with Wi-Fi

GOOGLE AIMS TO TRACK USERS WITH WI-FI
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Chris Nuttall and Kevin Allison]
Google, the leading Internet search company, which depends on advertising for 99 per cent of its revenues, was selected on Wednesday by San Francisco as its preferred bidder to provide a basic free Wi-Fi Internet service covering the entire city. The company aims to be able to track its users to within 100-200 feet of their location through new wireless networks in order to serve them with relevant advertising from local businesses. Google says users linking up with Wi-Fi transmitters placed around cities can be located to within a couple of blocks. This would open up a new level of advertising opportunities for the company, allowing it to serve tightly focused ads on its web pages from small businesses in the immediate area. Analysts have speculated that the San Francisco bid could be a prelude to Google seeking to extend its reach into localities nationwide.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/ae0398d2-c58c-11da-b675-0000779e2340.html
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