It was interesting reading back in time to Dec. 2010 when geolocation and privacy were at the height of Internet security concerns – This from an article on Net Security… Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have created the movement toward an “instant” form of communication, a shift that will completely alter the threat landscape in 2011. Of the social media sites that will be most riddled with cybercriminal activity, McAfee Labs expects those with URL-shortening services will be at the forefront. The use of abbreviated URLs on sites like Twitter makes it easy for cybercriminals to mask and direct users to malicious websites.
Well, now with the use of social media sites and in particular, location-aware apps and services, the topic of privacy is still a legitimate concern, mainly because more people than ever are using them (Location-based activities most frequently done on a smartphone, tablet or laptop are getting directions (59%), and tagging photos on social media (44%)). Some recent research findings show that 58% Use Location-based Apps Despite Privacy Concerns. In particular, many people are concerned about geolocation, which uses data from a computer or mobile device to identify a physical location.
- Top concerns include third-party use of personal information for marketing purposes (24%) and strangers knowing too much about people’s activities (24%)
- Personal safety is the next biggest concern (21%)
- 43% of people do not read the agreements on apps before downloading them, and of those who do read the agreements, 25% believe these agreements are not clear about how location information is being used
Source: google.com via Glenn on Pinterest
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