Avoid Stalkers and Criminals - Why using Geotags is a Bad idea

The world is more digital than it has ever been before, so stalkers no longer creep in alleys and follow you home, they use the convenient trail of digital breadcrumbs you leave on social media!

Without us even realising it, we have been trained to give our current location using things like geotags and location-tagging apps. Sure, it is fun to visit a restaurant with friends or go on a weekend getaway, snap a pic and tag your location, but at what cost to your personal safety?

When you use a geotag it reveals information that potential stalkers or criminals can use to harm you or steal from you.

Here’s why geotagging is such a bad idea…

      1.       You are tagging your current location

When you tag your location, you are revealing where you are as well as where you are not! If you just checked into a hotel then a criminal will know that your home is empty and unattended. If you took a picture and tagged it at your local pub, then a potential stalker can target you on your way home.

      2.       Your location history makes you an easy target

Did you know that your location history is recorded as your move from one to another? This kind of private information can be a goldmine for stalkers and criminals! If you make it a habit of checking in at the same restaurant every Monday at lunch time, then it’s obvious where you’ll be next Monday.

      3.       Your photo is revealing much more than it should

When you snap a picture with your phone, it is geotagged and it may seem harmless, but you’re wrong! This geotag is not one that you will be aware of, it is captured in the meta data and can be stolen should a criminal extract the information from the picture when you post it on Facebook, Instagram, etc. There are apps available that you can use to see if your pictures have geotags embedded in them.

What are the steps you can take to protect yourself?

> Turn off your location services and your location sharing apps. 

> Remove geotags from your photos using deGeo for iPhone and Photo Privacy Editor for Android.

> Never geotag when you are still at that location, rather post the pic and tag it at a later stage OR don't tag it at all!

Don’t risk your personal safety – geotagging is a bad idea!

The Computer Guyz offer reliable IT support, sales and advice - should you need our assistance, do not hesitate to give us a call on 021 110 0422 or email contact@tcgcape.co.za