Based on this post, it looks like the US congress is looking at how location based mobile device information is used.

"The relatively brief joint hearing served as a preliminary discussion about location-based data and its usage for targeting information and advertising to users of mobile devices. While nothing concrete emerged from the discussion, the potential is clear: impending comprehensive privacy legislation could regulate."

"I think you can expect to see this [topic] emerge as part of a larger legislative item," said Rep. Rick Boucher, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

There are many ways that location based data is used today. We've probably all seen the NCIS episodes where they track down the suspect by where their cell phone is located. This legislation is focused more on the commercial activities, sending custom ads or other techniques that have yet to be invented. The legislation will likely targeting sites like the Please Rob Me site described in this post.

A good example of this new usage of mobile information is the ability to see where traffic congestion is by analyzing the data and seeing where the phones are not moving on the roads. This example isn't really a commercial one, but it is a signpost along the way. These kinds of crowd data sourcing opportunities depend on the people who sign up to using feeling safe.

Charlie Bess
The Next Big Thing blog