Geofencing: a Secret Weapon
Wondering how a store's advertisement pops up on your phone when you just so happen to be nearby? Look no further than geofencing, which uses GPS and radio frequency identifications to create a virtual wireless perimeter around a designated location or event. When a wireless device enters within that vicinity, it automatically receives a notification from the geofence.
But geofencing’s scope is not limited to marketing. Rather, geofences may be used to monitor activity in specific areas, allowing the geofencer to regulate who enters and leaves an area. In Sweden, geofencing is being tested as a means of monitoring potential terrorist attacks. Geofences may be positioned around high alert areas and used to pinpoint the geographical location of vehicles that enter those perimeters. If a vehicle is going too fast and raises suspicion, global positioning technology can prevent that vehicle from entering a restricted area.
Sweden is not the only country to use geofencing in an unprecedented way. Singapore uses geofencing to tell bike users where to park, whereas Pakistan is using the technology to make a more serious impact. A geofence in Pakistan has been positioned in the exact location where journalist Ahmend Noorani was attacked. This geofence will have a similar effect as Sweden’s, creating a virtual geographic boundary that reacts when a phone enters or leaves an area. This allows officials to regulate risky areas and track potential threats.
Interested in learning more? Check out this article that explains how geofencing works.