Geo-tagging

Geolocation is the ability to identify the position in the world of a specific item or device using a variety of techniques including Global Positioning by Satellite (GPS) and Internet Protocol (IP) address location.

 

Geotagging is a feature increasingly available in electronic devices such as photographic cameras, notably those in a smart phone that records the location where the photograph was taken.

Why is this an issue?

It may or may not be an issues, depending on your cultural attitude about being tracked.

 

On the positive side, being able to track a person by locating a geolocation-enabled device is a valuable feature in situations such as finding a misplaced or stolen device, or in a Search and Rescue operation. If you are a parent and you give such a device to your children, you’ll have the ability to ind out where they are should they not answer their phone. Geolocation and geotagging can also be valuable in forensic investigations.

 

On the negative side, to what extent do you want your physical location to be known by others – not just friends but also potential stalkers and others with malicious intent?

 

What you should do about it

Make a choice that is appropriate to your circumstances, recognizing that being “invisible” and “anonymous” is gradually becoming harder.