Girls Gone Wrong: New Stalking App Needs to Go

It seems my mom may have been right about internet privacy when it comes to social media sites. It's an oxymoron.

The new app "Girls Around Me" crossed a line by using information you provide to Facebook and Foursquare to tell men how to hunt down women who most likely don't know what's happening.

The app's site explains how it works:

This foursquare-based tool helps you SEE WHERE NEARBY GIRLS ARE CHECKING IN, and shows you what they look like and how to get in touch! You can also search for guys or see who's hanging out at a particular place.

The app is so easy to use: search for girls or guys, browse the map and press scan to begin scanning the area for recent check-ins! See where people are spending this evening. Look at the photo and decide whether to seek out someone new at a nearby venue or play it cool by showing your interest via Facebook!

While it seems like it should be illegal, the app isn't doing anything but using data already provided by users. I can see my mom wagging her finger now. And many people who join social networking sites simply don't realize what information they are giving away. And how it can hurt them.

Foursquare quickly banned the app saying it wasn't in line with its policy, but at last check, it is still available on Apple iTunes.

The Russian developer defends the app saying its intention was simply to help people "discover public venues nearby" despite the fact that the app is called Girls Around Me. He says he is being made a "scapegoat" for internet privacy.

We live in a world where sharing pictures of yourself on vacation with thousands of Facebook "friends" is normal and where, thanks to Foursquare, your every move can be tracked. Girls Around Me is one reason to rethink what you share.

Crossposted at: www.daily-download.com

 

Follow Lauren Ashburn on Twitter: www.twitter.com/laurenashburn

Comments

[Bmulatiningsih]

07:08 PM on 04/04/2012

When Foursquare launched, I was thinking "hmm, all data in Foursquare can be misused someday". So when I heard about "Girl Around Me" apps, my thought came into reality. I think this apps is "creepy". Though this apps has been pulled, there is always possibility similar apps like this will be created in the future. Lesson learned from this case is we need to be very careful with what we share publicly in term of privacy. Because once data share publicly, it can be misused. As Kashmir Hill (in http://tiny.cc/psj9bw) said “You’re too public with your digital data, ladies,” may be the new “your skirt was too short and you had it coming.”

Bekti Mulatiningsih
http://bmulatiningsih347.wordpress.com/

[frank1946]

01:20 AM on 04/04/2012

Is Dirty Harry still working full time ?

[Marasbaras]

04:40 AM on 04/03/2012

I don't see why people are upset about this. They posted their data and pictures. They posted their location on-line. They're mad because someone saw a clever way to combine the data? Get real!

[mikiao]

11:53 AM on 04/03/2012

You mean all that information I voluntarily post on the internets can be SEEN by other people? Who knew?!

Next you'll be telling me people can see into my windows.... :D

[gabriel72]

01:29 PM on 04/02/2012

Do Not Post Private Info To The Public. You want to pin the blame on the developers, or Facebook... But its you that need to protect your information. How many more times do you need to hear that? I know exactly what the internet at large can see about me. I know exactly what the privacy settings in face book do. How is it that you don't? Do you want to get robbed after you publicly "Check In" to someplace that isn't home? I'm beginning to think you all are simply lazy enough that it outweighs your self preservation instincts.