Privacy Issues with Your Public Profiles
Google has been in the news recently regarding their Buzz, which is a social network that is accessed through Gmail. The big deal was the fact it the user had to opt out of the program or feature if they did not want their information to be made public. This was a very can do something for most users, since they did not realize that they needed to do this. Based on numerous complaints, Google decided that they would make some changes to the way in which Buzz was used. However, this must have been a little bit too much too late. A class-action lawsuit was filed in the United States claiming that Google breached people’s privacy.
Buzz was designed so that it could interface with Gmail as well as Google maps on you PC and your cell, like the Nexus One. It would actually pinpoint on the map where you were, as well as display the address and other information about the location you were at. Unfortunately, it also made this information public. The lawsuit actually can affect over 31 million Gmail users and as of yet there has been no statement issued by Google about the pending lawsuit. They have made some changes to that you are able to block anyone from being able to follow you without your permission.
This week we have also heard about the instances of security related problems in regard to using social networking. There was a website that was put up that actually would be able to inform you that your location, because of your profile being public, is actually an invitation for would-be burglars to rob your home. The creators of the websites say that they have done this in order to bring awareness to the fact that our public profiles can actually give information about our whereabouts, as well as being able to see what we Twittered and Buzzed to your friends. Both of these situations has brought to light many issues surrounding personal security and privacy. The important thing to remember is to make sure that your profile is made only available to those that you wish to see it as you use your unlocked cell phone.
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