Fourtrace Urges You To Think Before Sharing
30
November
Could someone predict where you’ll be tomorrow?
According to the Fourtrace website, “Fourtrace is a research project in “Advanced topics in Computer Networking” at University of California
, Santa Barbara. Our goal is to find out if it’s possible to predict where a user is at a given time.”
The site uses only the public Foursquare check-ins found on Twitter, so it is limited to only what Foursquare users choose to share. However, even those who limit their public sharing have the potential to display predictable patterns of behavior. Over a long enough period of time, even small amounts of sharing begin to add up. How could it the information be used? Time will tell.
Fourtrace advises on their “share” page, “…sometimes it’s smart to think twice before you share your updates publicly on twitter.”
What do you think?
Kinda like “Big Brother” watching over us but way more fun? Have to wonder who else is looking and when this type of data will be sold to a 3rd party?
In all honesty, I never really got Foursquare. The introvert in me never lets me relax and share where I am at all times. Always feel like a show off by checking in at a fancy restaurant and I would never publicly check into a McDonald’s. I felt disingenuous by not checking in 24/7.
More useful at convention though to see all of the Extroverts checking in. I knew which direction I should head for fun:) I have to question that there are enough honest Foursquarers, who check in often, to make an accurate prediction of true behavior? Or are most check-ins based around who that person wants to be?
“Or are most check-ins based around who that person wants to be?” or wants to be perceived to be.
Indeed…
As a user of foursquare my self I certainly fall into the category of selective checking in. I mean there are certain places I check in at regularly because I am the mayor. But there are other places I have decided to check in at one time and completely forgotten to the next.
I do often wonder why I feel the need to tell the public at large small tidbits about my life at random intervals. I guess in some way its a need to fit in and be one of the cool kids. Not sure its working.
“Or are most check-ins based around who that person wants to be?” or wants to be perceived to be.