A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words
For small business owners, this statement is true and lends support to the power of video in promoting their brand. However, when it comes to those with less stellar intentions, it can be quite dangerous.
Fox News reports in Digital Photos Hide Data — and Cyberstalkers Can Find It, Expert Warns: "… few people realize they may be giving away more than they plan to when they post even the most innocuous photos from their Blackberry phones or Apple iPhones." Through the use of geotags (a GPS stamp), criminals and stalkers are able to track the exact location a person is in when they take and post a photo.
Luckily, there is a way to protect yourself from this tracking as long as you are aware of it. This geotagging functionality is easily disabled and in my opinion, is something everyone needs to know, especially the young people today who post many photos on Facebook directly. How scary is it that our children can inadvertently disclose not only where they hang out but also where they live?
The ICanStalkU.com website has details on how to disable geotagging. PLEASE share this information with everyone you know who uses their smart phones to upload pictures – especially the young people – our children! My daughter posted the Fox article on her FB page – thank you Alexandra. Let's help keep others safe by sharing…
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Good tip Julie. Personally, the whole geotagging idea freaks me out. I struggle with the thought of posting the city I live even on my facebook account, which is locked down (and to be honest most of those people probably already know where I live). I've had a stalker before, and it's not a pleasant experience. And that was over 10 years ago, when things were so much more 'simpler.' They could only harrass me over the telephone (or in person) back then.
Thanks Janine – I agree with you about the whole geotag concept being scary. But is also helpful when not in the hands of crazy or immoral people. Being stalked is not a pleasant experience! From another perspective, when people post that they are on vacation, it is an open invitation to robbers to invade your home. I have been guilty of that in the past but have since become very careful in what I post.
Excellent information that I will share. Technology is great but sometimes works too fast and too furious against the consumer. I don't dig that!
Hi Julie,
I agree what you say about geo tagging and like many areas people have to think before they release information with technology. I was also reading an article last week about Facebook giving third party apps access to people's phone number and address. People could opt out but many don't think of doing that. This week Facebook is saying they are now not going to do it.
@Keyuri: Agreed – when technology can hurt – it is not OK.
@Susan: The problem with the opt-out options is that if people don't know that they are "in" until they "opt out" – they are "in" – make sense? Sort of like those special offers to get something for free that require you to give you credit card info. Then if/when you forget to cancel, they keep charging your credit card. That is why I never take any free trial that asks for a credit card. However, in this case, it is just annoying and costly, whereas in the other situation, it is potentially dangerous.
I agree Julie, and it may sound "old school" to some, but the bottom line is geotagging has always seemed to me to be a stalker's dream come true.. It's disturbing to know that predators know how to access your child's location from images sent from the iphone and blackberry. Thanks for voicing your opinion on this.
Hi Catherine. Yes it is scary and I don't think it is old school. When it comes to our children's safety – it is the only school. I look at Twitter like legitimized stalking – strange right?
Thanks for sharing, had heard a little about this but appreciate receiving up-to-date information. Another reason to monitor kids on the internet and talk to them openly about protecting themselves.
HI Kate. Yes – we have to really warn and inform our children – no matter how old they are. And this information is helpful to us too – if we have a smart phone – which I do not LOL
This is frightening Julie. I am so glad that I'm not raising children these days. This is new to me. You may be surprised to know but I still use a "stupid" phone.
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Yes it is Sherryl – and yes I am surprised that you, too, still have a "stupid" phone. I don't for several reasons – one being that I don't want to pay for an inanimate object that is smarter than I am!
Excellent information Julie. Had no idea the ICanStalkYou.com website even existed. Actaully agree with you that smart phones are becoming too smart. We don't need all the new programs and features and honestly the drawbacks frequently are worse than the advantages. But it's not going to stop since so many people want to make money.
One excellent development are the softwares that enable companies to spy on what anybody says or does on social media. That should effectively put a stop to rude and agressive people online. Bad behaviour online will make people reluctant to do business with you and employ you. Needless to say stalkers and pedofiles will have to watch out too.
Hi Catarina,
I didn't know about iCanStalkYou.com either until my daughter pointed out the article to me. It is good to know that there are companies popping up to counter some of the negative effects of advanced technology. What software are you referring to that enables companies to spy on people via social media? Not sure that will put a stop to rude and aggressive online behavior but it would be nice if it did right?
This is insane! I mean, I know these smart phones, particularly the Blackberry, were meant for businesses, in which case this would be a good thing. However, now being available to everyone, there are freakos out there that can just pinpoint the location of any smartphone owner? This is disturbing. I have shared your link with my family and friends. Thanks for the heads up
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Hi Jasmine. Yes, it is indeed scary! Welcome to 2011 everyone – "Big Brother is Most Definitely Watching". Glad you shared the link
Excellent information that I will share. Technology is great but sometimes works too fast and too furious against the consumer. I don't dig that!
Hi Michelle,
I agree – when a piece of technology is smarter than I am – not that I am THAT smart LOL – but still – I have a problem with that.
Hey Julie,
Super scary stuff!! Thankfully I don’t have any pics posted from a phone, but I know a lot of people who do. Time to get the word out and let people know!
Thanks for doing just that.
Susanna
Hi Susanna,
I actually got the link from my daughter and then asked her and her sister to post this on their FB walls. Yes it is scary – very!
I agree with you, it’s really getting smarter and mu son is annoyed by this since I can locate where he is going. But being available to everybody? no I don’t have to like it, what if there are those whakos who make a prank on you?
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Thank you so much for this one.. i think that everything has its own limitation and that with the privileges that technology has been offering to us, we should also learn how to moderate things..
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Great post.. Short but straight forward.. I really agree with you we have to control the this things..
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Actually agree with you that smart phones are becoming too smart. We don’t need all the new programs and features and honestly the drawbacks frequently are worse than the advantages. Thanks for p[posting..
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Awesome gadget! Thanks for sharing this blog.
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thats what i need these days.to be called am IN with the modern life!..lol!..haahaha
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This is disturbing. I have shared your link with my family and friends. Thanks for the heads up.
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I agree with you about the whole footage concept being scary. But is also helpful when not in the hands of crazy or immoral people. Being stalked is not a pleasant experience! From another perspective, when people post that they are on vacation, it is an open invitation to robbers to invade your home. I have been guilty of that in the past but have since become very careful in what I post.
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Technology is great but sometimes works too fast and too furious against the consumer. I don’t dig that! |
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Blackberry, were meant for businesses, in which case this would be a good thing.
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Blackberry suits for business purposes. It is very useful and hi-tech phone. Everybody loves it!
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yes agree we need to put some limitation n our life.thanks fro sharing this wonderful blog.
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Great Job on the giving the information! Blackberry really is a very amazing gadget! Keep posting some more article like this!
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I struggle with the thought of posting the city I live even on my Facebook account, which is locked down and to be honest most of those people probably already know where I live.
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thats what i need these days.to be called am IN with the modern life!..lol!..haahaha
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Awesome! it is nice handy gadget.
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I agree with you about the whole footage concept being scary. But is also helpful when not in the hands of crazy or immoral people. Being stalked is not a pleasant experience! |
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thanks for sharing a great thoughts for today’s generation, electronics devices like phone are very smart if the user also smart. it’s useless as a smart phone made for installing a features if the user didn’t know how to use it. its a great idea that you share it..
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its bitter to keep off from children to avoid them. by sharing this info you helped our fellow citizen to realize that they need to extra care of phones. we are the responsible for everything happen to everyone of us. great sharing author thank you..
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Thank you so much for your info, I really do have this idea about the criminal act based on our uploaded picture and video. Yes, it is really necessary to remind these young people who are so fond of sharing their pictures online.
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