The government has been using cell phone triangulation technology for almost 20 years. This article makes it sound like something new (ok, it’s wi-fi triangulation, but it’s the same idea). I think this is well known by most people. In movies you always see people tossing there cell phones or using “burners” when they want to elude the authorities.
Which is why I snort in derision when on a TV show they still have to get the bad guy to stay on the line for a minute. Can't they just look at the Caller ID? It makes me nuts to know that I can tell who's calling before I answer the phone but the cops have to figure out to keep the guy on the phone for a minute.
What are burners?
Google maps is also gathering wi-fi addresses as it drives around taking pictures.
It could well be that in a few decades, it will be impossible to be anonymous while out in public. It will probably also be possible to infer where and what a person is going to be doing at any one time. If they deviate (ala THX 1138) it will be taken as de-facto proof of probable cause for detention.