FOURSQUARE:BEWARE

As I mentioned in my previous post it is so easy to stalk someone through social media platforms.  Today I would like to talk about a platform that is a stalkers dream:  Foursquare.  This app will tell you exactly where a person is.  In my opinion Foursquare is very dangerous and should be used with caution.  

           When one uses Foursquare, their smart phone’s GPS will broadcast their location to their friends on Foursquare and anyone else using Foursquare in the area.  Many people put their accounts on private, but what they do not realize is they are still not entirely safe from strangers.  Privacy glitches are not at all uncommon.  Many times a private user’s location will be viewable for anyone if they first click on the name of the business the person is located or has recently checked in at. This gives a stranger access to your location, profile and personal information within a few minutes. 

You might think “what harm could come from someone knowing my location?”  Well there are quite a few things you should be worried about like sexual predators, kidnappings, mugging, or even home evasion.  You cannot trust everyone on the internet, and when you are not being careful about what you are posting you are making yourself vulnerable to be a target for any of these crimes.  

A sexual predator could see that you are at a certain bar through your Foursquare.  It would take very little work on their part to research you so that they are clearly able to identify you.  If there is an opportunity they just might try to take advantage of you or drug your drink.  There have been actual cases where accounts have been closed because of stalkers following Foursquare users.

Not only do Foursquare users see your location, but sites like pleaserobme.com can also access your location and track your whereabouts making it extremely easy for someone to rob you or evade your home.  Do the benefits offset the costs for having this personal information open for anyone to see?  Foursquare may make it easier to find your friends, or enter you to win freebies at businesses you frequent, but you must think of the potential dangerous situations you are putting yourself in.  Is a free drink really worth your safety or piece of mind?

Just as a side note, If Beyoncé had a Foursquare it would make it a whole lot easier to complete my life’s destiny of meeting her.  

http://content.time.com
http://voices.yahoo.com
http://www.theguardian.com