Facebook Kill List Adds Perspective to Places

Posted August 25, 2010 in Internet Law by Arthur Buono
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Since Facebook debuted its Places feature last week a number of privacy advocates have weighed in on it. The gist of the worries is that while you can limit who you tell where you are, you can’t always stop your friends from doing it. This could pose a privacy or security risk of sorts, especially if you happen to be on a Facebook "kill list."

 
  • Three Colombian teens on Facebook "kill list" murdered
  • Facebook Places lets you tell users where you are
  • Privacy advocates examine potential flaws in Places privacy options

 

Comings, Goings, and Killings on Facebook

Not making this up. Three Colombian teenagers have been found dead in the last week or so. All three were on a "kill list" posted to a Facebook page. The list warns the 30 other names on it to get out of town. Police initially thought the list was a joke. Narco-terrorism’s made life cheap there, it seems.

Apparently there’s no link between the murders and Places, but you can connect the dots. Places and other locating apps have the potential for grave abuse. This is why privacy advocates, including the ACLU, have been so vocal in warning about it. Social media’s already been implicated in bullying and stalking cases.

We seem to have a burning desire to be connected at all times. We also like our privacy. The problem is too often we only pay attention to the need for privacy after it’s been violated. The upside of social media is sharing. The downside of social media is sharing. And the essence of social media is sharing. Just be sure whom you’re sharing what with.

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