As the social media rise encourages the increase of sharing between its users, it tends to put aside the elements of safety and security. Of course, who would put a warning sign above their heads while trying to sell a product? But safety and security issues are there lurking, nonetheless.
When location-based services climbed its popularity, integration with other social media platforms is inevitable. By now, we already familiarized ourselves with “I just ousted XXXX as the mayor of XXX” or posts that ended with “at <name of the place> with <name of friends>”. Those posts usually followed by back links to pin-point of the location’s position on the map. Little do we know that such activity holds a potential vulnerability that will put us (and people close to us) at risk. Below are a few examples of how LBS can pose as a harmful thing to us, if done recklessly:
Create a routine
You check in at home and office regularly, at certain and precise timing. This created a routine and predictable schedule that potentially will endanger your home. As your colleagues and superior may follow your whereabouts when you’re not at the office, a criminal may see this as an opportunity to perform damaging activities to your spouse, children or anyone else in the house you’re not currently in.
Fool’s announcement
You went to a vacation, and you decided to check in at the Maldives hotel, accompanied by a photo of the whole family. As much as the post will boost your ego and pamper your narcissism, you’re still announcing to everyone linked to your social network accounts that your-house-is-empty. This is a good auto-share use of saying “Dear robbers, mi casa su casa”.
Children tracking
You provide your children a gps-equipped smartphone to enable you full control and worry-free condition of knowing your child’s current position. Don’t forget, if you can track their location, so can the bad guys. There are plenty of case studies about children, geo-tagging and gps tracking; look through them and reconsider before you equip your kids with the technology.
Personal trail
Picture this: You’re in an interview for a new job or promotion, to realize the interviewer followed your LBS trail of club-hopping on working nights, losing a mid to large amount of wager on a crazy weekend, or a wacky and cool photo of a trip with your best friends that seemingly will ruin the company’s image and credibility when associated with you. It is permanent. It is undeniable.
The examples given above doesn’t necessarily stated that LBS are useless and pose more threats to benefits, it just needs more wisdom on the other end of the app; the user. It takes a little effort and will power to fully read and double-check an LBS app’s terms and conditions and privacy setting. If you’re unsure about it, consult it with the developer. Most devices and app’s geo-location default setting are ON, make sure you set it properly before using the device and/or app. Last but not least, choose the most suitable time to share your whereabouts, documentation of places and others, and make sure you’re sharing it to the right people.
Do you know all your followers on Twitter? Do you talk to all your Facebook friends and assured that there will be no kidnappers or pedophilic criminals checking your timeline and downloading photos of your children? Are you certain that your newly added/approved colleagues on your LBS app share the same interest with you? Or, by all means, their real interest is actually YOU?
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