Data Collection Concerns

I came across an article today discussing concerns over data collected from participatory sensing technologies.  Devices, such as mobile telephones, can collect location-specific data and send this data to repositories where it can be used to detect trends.  Concerns exist on the use of this data.  While the examples of legitimate uses for this data were described, I failed to see how the benefits outweigh the potential exposure to such granular personal data.

These sensing devises are able to track an individual's location at any given time as well as capture images (through the phone's digital camera) and audio.  Misuse of this technology equates to individuals carrying a monitoring devise and evokes a more extreme scenario than described in by Orwell in 1984.

There is a clear need for governance over the collection, ownership, management, and application of this personal data.  Existing regulations on personal data do not go far enough to protect individuals from this more revealing personal data.  The question is, if and when this data is collected, who will own it and who will control access to it.  Right now I'm very uncomfortable with any government or corporate agency accessing or controlling this information.  While I'm not an alarmist, there is certainly potential and incentives (profit making) to collect this data so I am concerned.