We Know Where You Are

Location-based Internet services make our lives easier, but also pose some risks and dangers. In this episode, we look at ways of maximising the benefits while minimising the risks.

Listen to the episode here, or download it as MP3:


MP3 File

Examples

• Facebook updates, Twitter tweets, LinkedIn updates, etc. can all be done from mobile devices. This doesn't necessarily include location information, but users often do voluntarily disclose their location directly or indirectly
• YouTube videos can be geo-stamped
• Photo-sharing sites allow geo-tagging.
• For sites like Foursquare and Gowalla, your location is the main feature
• Conference attendees often tweet to a Twitter back-channel during the conference. Indeed, some conferences actively encourage this now.
• Internet/GPS-enabled heart-rate monitors can post your exercise routine to, say, Facebook.
• mapmyrun.com encourages users to share their runs on-line; and includes iPhone apps to do this automatically for runs, walks and bike rides
• Many iPhone apps ask for permission to record my location
• Twitter has a new Tweet With Your Location feature

Other sites we mentioned

• PleaseRobMe.com
• The Digital Criminal
• Poll: Most people aren't using this yet
• Using Facebook or Twitter could raise your insurance premiums