Mobile Computing and Commerce Legal Implications

This article summarizes the present and potential legal constraints of mobile computing and commerce and provides company policy suggestions associated with wireless data collection, dissemination, and storage. The legal constraints focus on major American laws that directly and indirectly involve mobile computing and commerce. Mobile computing is the ability to use wireless devices such as laptops and handheld computers in remote locations to communicate through the Internet or a private network. The technology involves a computer linked to centrally located information or application software through battery powered, portable, and wireless devices (Webopedia.com, 2007b). Mobile commerce uses computer networks to interface with wireless devices such as laptops, handheld computers, or cell phones to help buy goods and services. It is also known as mobile e-commerce, mcommerce, or mcommerce (Webopedia.com, 2007b). Radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies are often a part of mobile commerce. The technologies use radio waves to provide services such as identifying product packaging, paying tolls, purchasing at vending machines, and covertly monitoring employee locations (Grami & Schell, 2007). This article is significant because mobile computing and commerce are expanding at a terrific pace. Laws have been slow to catch up with the new technologies. However, some existing laws on mobile computing and commerce already have a large impact on how communication is disseminated, security and privacy are maintained, and companies develop mobile policies. This article helps corporate managers reduce potential litigation because these mobile laws are described and their implications on company policies disseminated.