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Location based services and privacy issues

Posted by Kupr in media

With the advent of the iPhone and other mobile handsets such as the HTC Magic and Blackberry range, there has been an increase in the number of location based services available. For instance I have the following application on my Magic:

• Brightkite
• Here I am
• Qype

I have also opted in to the Latitude service on Google Maps, so at this precise minute there are a small handful of friends that can see, with some accuracy, where I currently am (or at least where my phone is).

Through my Twitter and Facebook status’ I often divulge my location. Further, I use a website called Dopplr to plan and record my travel trips.

All of the services are great, but is there not a problem with so freely giving out my location? Not that I need to hide from anyone, or am in fear of being stalked, I have questioned do I really need to advertise where I am. When adding future travel trips to my Dopplr account, I am explicitly saying, I will not be at home, or even in the country for x number of days. Surely for security reasons, this can not always be good. The obvious danger is that someone could take the opportunity to burgle the house knowing that there is a reduced likelihood that they will be disturbed on the job. So what’s really important here is to ensure that the location of my house is kept very secret. However that can be easier said than done.

It’s not only just my location that could be an issue. With the steady rise of individuals involved in social networking sites, there is a large amount of information being posted online about individuals. The days of a would be identity fraudster having to grope through people’s bins to get some information can now be complimented by getting supplementary information about that person online.

Whilst there are a lot of positives about this new and connected world we are living in, we also need to exercise greater caution with just how much personal information we give out and to which individuals.

Be safe.

UPDATE: I have just read an article on Brand Republic that seems to suggest that insurance companies are now looking at the issue of individuals giving away to much information on social networking sites that could lead to higher insurance premiums. I guess if you tell everyone that you are going on holiday and they can see your address, then you’re asking for trouble.