Location Sharing Risks

In today’s world, location sharing has become second nature to many of us. Whether you’re meeting up with friends or checking in on someone’s whereabouts, apps like Snapchat’s Snap Maps make it easy to share where you are. However, while this feature is convenient, it also has some hidden risks that every student should know. 

One major concern is the constant exposure of your private information. By keeping location services on, you share your real-time location and reveal patterns in your daily routine. This can allow others to track your frequent locations like where you live, study, or work. This information can be exploited if seen by the wrong person. 

Snap Maps, in particular, is a feature many people use to keep up with friends, but it’s important to remember that your location is visible to anyone you’ve added on Snapchat. Even if you trust your friends, there’s always the chance that your location could be shared with someone you don’t know or that your account could be compromised. Plus, Snap Maps updates in real-time, meaning anyone watching could easily determine when you’re home or away. 

Another risk to sharing your location on various applications is the potential for hackers to learn personal information that will help them target you for their next attack. Hackers can use your location to send spam messages related to “credit card” fraud after you have been shopping or Duo pushes when you are on campus. Just because you think your location is private to you and your friends does not mean that is all who can see it.  

To stay safe, it’s essential to manage your location-sharing settings. On Snap Maps, consider using “Ghost Mode,” which hides your location from others. On other apps, ensure you’re only sharing your location with trusted individuals and turn off location sharing when it’s unnecessary. Protect your privacy, and don’t let convenience outweigh your safety. 

By being mindful of your location-sharing habits, you can stay connected while keeping your personal information secure. To learn more about how to stay safe online, visit the ITS cybersecurity website.