New social-network services broadcast users’ locations

March 18, 2010

Is sharing personal information on social networks too risky? As the Chicago Tribune reports, that question is being raised again, this time by the new trend in which people combine social networking and Web-connected mobile phones to tell friends where they are at any given moment. Services like Foursquare or Gowalla broadcast their users’ real-time whereabouts, ostensibly to share information about favorite haunts and increase the chances of bumping into friends.

The services link up with Facebook and Twitter, allowing much larger audiences to see location-based updates. Last week, Twitter introduced its own location-based feature, and Facebook is expected to soon do the same, the Tribune reports. As a counterpoint intended to raise awareness about online privacy, a Dutch group called Forthehack last month launched PleaseRobMe.com, a Web site that collected Twitter posts linked to Foursquare updates. The site reportedly listed the posts under the heading “Recent Empty Homes” and specified the person’s location, but has since discontinued operations.

The FBI and local law-enforcement agencies say they haven’t seen any cases of crimes related to social-media users revealing their locations, the Tribune reports. For their part, the companies behind the new location-based services say their products include privacy controls and are a response to consumer demand. — Greg Beaubien

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