Location is a problem for both security and privacy. We may say it’s a small price to pay for making life easier, but there is a clear threat to our safety involved in sharing our exact position.

So far, location services have ignored this, choosing to let the user decide to either not broadcast anything, or reveal their exact position; a sort of all or nothing scenario that isn’t particularly helpful for more general tasks like finding local news and weather that don’t require the use of a precise location.

What some people seem to forget is that before Geolocation APIs, tracking relied on IP addresses to discover your general area. It’s not reliable enough to give an exact position, but it’s close enough to determine the city you’re in.

So, I propose that future location services utilize a dual-channel location system. Area and Pinpoint. Area would take the user’s IP address and return a general area (e.g. Vancouver). Pinpoint would then tap into the Geolocation API and use the device’s WiFi, 3G or GPS to home in on the user’s exact location (e.g. 1025 Robson St, Vancouver).

Area and Pinpoint should be able to be toggled by the user at any moment, and each mode should come with a clear understanding of available features.

I feel this method provides a best of both worlds compromise that keeps the user in control of their location, while still allowing more general location-based tasks to be completed in lieu of a more precise location. It will also help make location more friendly to users who are otherwise fearful of possible threats to their privacy, thus increasing usage rates.

Update: Now that I think about it, a third layer for Location Sharing may be necessary, just to keep a handle on who can see where you are, and whether they see your Area or Pinpoint location.