Facebook introduced an application that allows users to let their friends know where they are. The application, “Places,” is controversial because some users believe it is an invasion of privacy since their friends can “check them in” to a place without their authorization.
However, I don’t think it’s an invasion of privacy. I think people just don’t understand how the application works.
First of all, you have to give the application permission to access your information. If you don’t use it, it doesn’t work. In order for your friends to “check you in,” you must have used the application previously. If you haven’t used “Places” before, your name will appear in your friend’s status update as if you had been tagged, which is something they could do before “Places.”
If you want to use the application, but don’t want your parents to know that you’re at a party instead of the library, you can change your privacy settings so that your “Places” page is blocked from your parents.
Finally, you can control the Facebook tagging settings. If you don’t want your friends to check you in at all, you can do that. If you want everyone to be able to check you in, you can do that. If you want only certain people to have that ability, you can do that, too.
But that’s not all, if a friend “checks you in” a place you don’t want to be checked into, you can remove your tag.
Not only do I not think this application is safe, I think it’s useful. Facebook users will be able to see where their friends are, sure, but they will also be able to see if any of their friends are at the same place as they are. If you ever want to know who else is at the Starbucks in the Don Taft University Center, you can just check your “Places” page and see if any of your friends are also getting their caffeine fix.
So, say goodbye to calling and texting 30 people to see who’s around. Facebook’s “Places” is in the right place at the right time.
