Search Engine Optimization

Social media is a great way to connect with people that we know. It offers a lot of benefits for those who are trying to maintain relationships. One of the features that continues to grow in popularity is geotagging. Digital Trends defines geotagging as “the process of attaching location information to content such as a photograph or video (for example, when you shoot and upload a photo to Facebook with the location of your whereabouts).” It’s a really cool feature that gives us the opportunity to be even more social with our friends, but what about those who aren’t our friends that can see our locations?

In the same Digital Trends article, they raise an important question: while you are letting friends and family know where you are with your posts, is it worth the risk of being a victim of a crime? Burglars and stalkers can easily track you through geotagging. If you post a picture with your whole family with a geotag saying you’re in Hawaii, if the burglar knows your address, he/she can rob your house. And for obvious reasons, a stalker can easily find you through geotagging.

I am absolutely not trying to scare anyone into not doing what they want, but I do think that it’s smart to always be aware of what you are doing when it comes to social media. As I researched geotagging, I came across a great article produced by AVG Now that not only says what to be aware of, but it also lists a few ways that you can protect yourself.

So first, a few things that you need to know about geotagging:

1.      Photos can contain location information stored in metadata (EXIF data) within the image itself.

2.      Location data can be automatically applied to your GPS enabled smartphone photos.

3.      The location data usually includes the precise GPS coordinates of where the photo was taken, as well as the time and date it was captured.

Most importantly, here are a few ways to protect your privacy:

1.      Disable location services on your mobile devices.

2.      Remove EXIF data from images before uploading to social media networks or file sharing sites.

3.      Be aware of location options in apps or online services and social media.

Social media is such an awesome tool, but please remember to be aware of all of the possible consequences whenever you post. Be safe out there!

Sources:

http://now.avg.com/the-dangers-of-geotagging-via-photos-social-media/

http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/could-you-fall-victim-to-crime-simply-by-geotagging-location-info-to-your-photos/