Way back in November, Melody told you about a little thing called Foursquare. The basic rundown: Go places. Check-in. (I know it sounds dumb, but I swear it’s not. It’s addictive. You get points. Check out Melody’s post, seriously).
In the past few months, the application/game/new addiction has really taken off. So much, in fact, that it has garnered the attention of our very own KSDK.
You see, you can link Foursquare up to your Facebook and/or Twitter and it will send updates through those networks, alerting your friends and followers where you are. This is where the trouble starts.
A few days ago, I heard about the website Please Rob Me. The site is basically a Twitter search of everyone that is checking in with Foursquare…
KSDK describes the site as, “A new website [that] lets potential crooks know when you’re not at home.” Hmmm, really?
Take a look at Please Rob Me’s ‘Why’ section. “The goal of this website is to raise some awareness on this issue and have people think about how they use services like Foursquare, Brightkite, Google Buzz etc. Because all this site is, is a dressed up Twitter search page. Everybody can get this information.”
Or even the bottom of the main page. “Our intention is not, and never has been, to have people burgled.” Plus, the site features a giant cartooned burglar sneaking around in the header. Not exactly what I’d call threatening.
Listen KSDK, I’m not saying ‘crooks’ couldn’t use the site, I’m just saying it’s not aimed at them. Their report goes on to talk about the danger of putting so much information about yourself online (and do a little stalking of local user Tyler Davis), which is what the report really should be about.
Check out KSDK’s full story.
I remember when I first went to college and Facebook was all shiny and new. It was only for college kids (seriously- you had to have an official university email address to sign up- no gmails, hotmails, or stone age aol.com’s here). Most people had their phone numbers, dorms, and room numbers listed on their profiles (so our new college friends could find us right!?). Well someone got hurt or stalked or something and everyone started taking that information off their profiles.
I’m all for transparency online. Gone are the days where you make up silly names for yourself online (sparkleprincess12! abercrombieluvr88!). I use my full, real name everywhere I can online. Call it personal branding, call it unsafe, whatever. I call it having real, honest commmunication with people online.
Am I jumping on to a bunch of sketchy websites telling people where I live? No. Did I make my ‘home’ a location on Foursquare to get more points? Tempting, but (hell) no.
I’ve gone back and forth on whether I liked KSDK’s story on Please Rob Me. I didn’t like the cheesy, scare tactics. I didn’t like that they didn’t come bust me while I was munching on chicken at Hodack’s on Monday. But I did like that they are shining light on the issue of online privacy.
I’m not saying we should all start lying again, making up aliases and using pictures of kittens as our avatars. I just think we need to remember there are crazies out there. And to be careful.
Image Credit: Brotherpeacemaker.wordpress.com
Danielle is the Television and movies Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Addicted to Television, where she talks about her television obsession. If you want to give her free movie passes she wouldn’t be shy in taking them, so you can email them to her at danielle [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @daniellesmyname.
All good points. I use “Gowalla,” occasionally – similar app to Foursquare. I never check in until I’m ready leave said location, and rarely post the info to Twitter or Facebook, because I’m paranoid like that! Out-of-town check-ins are a bit trickier though.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I learned the foursquare lesson the hard way a couple nights ago. I hardly ever use it, but I checked in at a restaurant and decided to share it on Twitter too. A few minutes later, a server came by and said I had a phone call. I went to the restaurant phone and it was a guy who called himself “Roy from Oregon.” He said he saw my tweet and decided to start stalking me. Kind of freaky, but from the tone of his voice, it sounded like he was joking so I wasn’t totally disturbed. Turns out he does this as a prank and records the phone calls and then posts them on his website. So now you can hear the whole conversation with me sounding confused and bewildered online. Awesome. I guess I’m just glad it wasnt’ a real stalker!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Here’s the thing – as long as you’re not posting your locations to twitter, and you’re only accepting friend requests from people you know – then the list of people who a.) know where you are and b.) know you’re not home is pretty easy to narrow down.
As with everything else in life – you have to use common sense. Unfortunately, it’s something that some struggle with.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Cyndi & Andrea,
Thanks for weighing in! I definitely DO use Foursquare, and (try to) check in everywhere I go. But I refuse to make my ‘Home’ a place I check in at. My home address isn’t available to anyone online, I guess I’m still at risk, but maybe I’m just naive. AND I didn’t even think about those out of town check ins! I haven’t gone on a trip yet, but I’ll try to remember NOT to check-in there (although, the extra foursquare points would be nice!).
And Carlie,
That is freaky! One part creepy, the other part annoying, I’m glad it wasn’t a real stalker too!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] don’t register your home online to get more check-in points or KSDK says you’ll get robbed blind, [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Haha! Guess what? Thieves don’t need social media to find out if you’re home or not. They do it the old fashioned way, they wait til you’re likely to be at work and then knock on the door to see if anyone answers. THE SAME WAY THEY DID IT 20 YEARS AGO! Duh. Social media would be just too complicated.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You have to admit, Bill, that some of these location apps (if not used with a little caution) make it just a little easier for the more evolved robber types
Like or Dislike:
0 
0