Twitter and Facebook can be problematic enough, interfering with personal privacy if you don’t set up your privacy features correctly to protect yourself and negatively affecting Internet security. But now along comes Foursquare with the ability to track your whereabouts using GPS.
Foursquare is the relatively new kid on the block. Their big thing is awarding badges to their members who check in to tell the Universe where they are at any given moment. How do they do that? By tracking your smart phone using GPS.
Foursquare is headquartered in New York and has come up with this brainy idea of alerting EVERYONE who is a member where you are whenever you feel like it. Plus they track all this information and allow it to be used by their advertisers. You thought you didn’t like spam before??
Foursquare Pros and Cons
Privacy on the Internet is becoming a scarce commodity. It is frightening to think of all the information people are willingly posting to social networking sites. The information posted gives access to all sorts of cyber criminals, cyber bullies, predators and hackers, to name just a few.
Listed here are some of the dangers or cons with using the new social networking site, Foursquare where users can tell up to 900 friends their location:
- Burglaries! While you’re blabbing to the whole world that you aren’t home, you’ve put the welcome mat out for home invaders.
- Muggers! Let’s face it, not everyone has your best interest at heart. Their intention is to take advantage of any opportunity and you’ve just provided them with one.
- Kidnappers! Here I am, come find me. Of course there aren’t criminals around every nook and cranny but when you share things like your location to literally hundreds of people, you are increasing your exposure to these sorts of people who may be following you on Twitter or Facebook.
- Sexual predators! We’ve all read in the news and seen on TV all the stories about how the Internet is full of predators. Users happily post their photos and other information on social networking sites so it’s easy for them to follow those that attract them. When you check in to a given location with Foursquare it immediately is posted to your Twitter account and is there for the entire world to see.
When you post all this information about yourself, including where you are, you are taking a major risk. Be smart about your personal safety and your Internet security at all times.
Okay, we don’t want to be the total Debbie-Downer (SNL fans will get that!) but there are pros to using Foursquare and here are a few listed:
- Great for businesses. Launching a new business, throwing an event? Get it out there through Foursquare and it’s automatically posted on Twitter as well.
- Are you a business traveller and don’t know where to go in a new city? Foursquare provides tips and local places to go for a great meal.
- It’s important to note that all your information isn’t shared with everyone. You can hide a little or all your information from your friends all at once. You can definitely pick and choose who you want to see where you are.
Always think before you leap. Ask yourself, “Do I really want people knowing my every move throughout my day?” Your account with Foursquare or any other social networking site can potentially be hacked and your information stolen. Is this a risk you are willing to take for a badge?
