Earlier this week, Facebook added “where” to the list of personal information members share with the world. There was much speculation what this feature might mean for FourSquare and the subsequent riddles, “What happens when you add Foursquare to Facebook? (Answer: Facebook).
I’ve learned now that when Facebook announces a new feature, it is a signal for me to check into my settings and make sure that I’m happy with the way the default works. Do I want the world to know my location (if I choose to use that new feature?) Do I want to give my friends the ability to share my location with others?
These questions (and others) prompted a discussion about privacy concerns. The San Francisco office of the American Civil Liberties Union asked whether Places has again left Facebook members open to privacy problems. In article in the San Francisco Chronicle, a privacy expert gives some good advice:
Parry Aftab, one of several Internet safety experts who Facebook helped develop Places as part of a volunteer advisory board, said the feature does include enough controls to protect privacy.
But Aftab, executive director of WiredSafety.com, said people who use social networking and geo-location technologies need to learn what the controls are so they can protect themselves.
“If you’re going to play, it tells you what you need to do,” Aftab said. “If you don’t like it, you can turn it off. I won’t use it, but my guess is my daughter will. As we move forward and these things become more and more robust, the question is do you turn off new technologies that allow more interaction and sharing or do you make sure people are empowered to use them safely.”
2. Go to “customize”
3. Scroll to “things others share”
4. Disable “friends can check me into places.”
Facebook is doing a live stream at 11:00 am PST and you can find out more.
Non-Profit Websites by Cozality says
On the bright side of this technology, it could be a great thing for a non-profit to have people telling their friends they’re out at the NP event having a great time, doing a good thing.
Event 360 says
Beth, Thanks for the reminder on checking our privacy settings. We were just talking the other month about how Nonprofits should learn from Facebook on how not to take advantage of their donor relationships (http://bit.ly/b6bJEO). Facebook took advantage of its users and now people are skeptical of any new feature.
Patrick says
@non-profit – Yeah but you don’t need geo for that. If somebody wants to share what and where, then the can. I think the problem is when you easily want to keep information private; not when you want to share it.
Non-Profit Websites by Cozality says
@Patrick It looks like the Facebook user has the freedom to choose whether or not to “sign-in” somewhere.
Strictly Social says
When entering any personal data online there’s always going to be an element of risk. With Facebook’s recent press fiasco with their privacy settings, this time they’ve had a good think about their security options for Places.
Many of course will find this combination of social media and GPS useful and exciting, using the benefits of this feature, and some will no doubt wonder why it has taken Facebook so long to come up with their own version. However, there are still concerns surrounding this type of technology which some members of the general public still find uncomfortable with location features.
There needs to be an element of common sense here, do check your personal security settings, Facebook may have not made it the easiest thing to do, but it doesn’t take that long in the grand scheme of things and perhaps it may be a good idea not to divulge every piece of information concerning your whereabouts. At the end of the day, if you don’t want people to know where you are…don’t use it.
Anjolie says
This is great info Beth. I’ve seen a lot of content lately related to Facebook privacy concerns and this was very helpful.
stopped says
Five great enemies to peace inhabit with us: avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride. If those enemies were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace. ~Francesco Petrarch
Sohaib says
I saw this idea in the following Social Network: http://www.shareusprofit.com
ShareUsProfit.com is a website which shares the revenues with all members.
Paul says
There is actually an app for that. It allows you to fake you location on Facebook place.
http://itunes.com/apps/locationspoofer
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