These days most of us are either tweeting, poking or instant messaging.But the problem with social networking is that we reveal too much about ourselves and our lives – and one website has proved just how dangerous too much information can be.
The site, called PleaseRobMe, claims to reveal the location of empty homes, based entirely on the information that people post online.
Speaking to the BBC, the Dutch developers of the site say that it was designed purely to prove a point.
PleaseRobMe scrutinises players of the online game Foursquare, which is based on people's actual locations.
The site then extracts information from those unfortunate participants who have posted their whereabouts automatically onto Twitter.
Boy Van Amstel, one of the developers, said: "It started with me and a friend looking at our Twitter feeds and seeing more and more Foursquare posts.
"People were checking in at their house, or their girlfriend's or friend's house, and sharing the address – I don't think they were aware of how much they were sharing."
After realising just how much personal information was readily available, the developers took just four hours to create the site – but they stress that it is not aimed at encouraging crime.
"The website is not a tool for burglary," said Van Amstel. "The point we're getting at is that not long ago it was questionable to share your full name on the internet.
"We've gone past that point by 1000 miles."
So be careful what you tweet, folks... you never know who might be watching.
Be a fan of Lemondrop on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter!









































Comments:
Add a comment
Thursday 18 February
By tony
I think anything that makes us aware of the incredible amount of information we give out freely is a good thing.
The police and local community officers should leave cards inside unlocked cars and houses so that people realise they could have been robbed.
Also specialist wardens should wander through chat rooms and allert people when they give out too much information, i watched a webcam with the sound on and the people didnt know, but i knew their address, when they were going to be in, the work they were having done plus name and phone number.... incredible
Reply
Thursday 18 February
By carl
well said tony
Friday 19 February
By Carole
Hi Tony. Police in my region carried out an exercise and went around the local neighbourhood checking house and cars as you suggest. At the end of it, they found over 200 residents houses and/or cars left unlocked. The residents/owners were advised to be more vigilant, thus saving hours of time, upset, insurance claims, police time and prescence otherwise? A very valuable exercise saving a lots of money too
Carole
Thursday 18 February
By shaun
OMG so your saying peoples houses may be burglaled when we are not at home ! ? Or even worse criminals may track our wereabouts via the intenet on (stolen) computers , well the answer is simple - never leave home- do all your shopping on line, work from home on your PC - sell the car because that is certain to get stolen in todays society , oh but wait if you buy on line your identity and credit details are SURE to get stolen , if you stay at home someone is SURE to breakin regardless and kill you ! What the hell do I do ?
Buy expensive home and PC secrurity better still an old world war 2 bunker ?
Or should I just lock my door when going out- say hello to my neighbours and get to know them without the aid of a PC (instead of having virtual 'friends' 1000 miles away) go to the shops lock my car whilst shopping/visiting nice places but what about the hoddies and knife weilding muggers on the street ? Oh sod em - I aint been killed , raped or mugged recently (no more than anyone has before media scares)
Am I stupid for thinking the world isnt as bad as it is ? should I listen when a friend at work tells me how a man was killed for having a lap top and twenty fags on him on the way to the chip shop on a friday night in a country I cant spell ?
Or should I just say get a freekin life and leave the house , go for a drive , go to the chippy and IF i'm attacked say - fook they where right !!!!!
Reply
Thursday 18 February
By Matt
What a useless long winded comment that was.
Have you got nothing better to do?
Friday 19 February
By mal
well shaun I thought your response was so funny, the best laugh I have had in a long while,well done
Friday 19 February
By jan
Loved your post, so witty yet so true .
Thursday 18 February
By john
HOW COME THIS SIGHT HAS NOT BEEN CLOSED BY THE POLICE OR IS THAT TO MUCH WORK
Reply
Thursday 18 February
By Richard
Exactly! ^^^
It certainly makes you wonder, John.
Thursday 18 February
By Michael Tomaszewicz
Great idea, John.
Which law should the Police apply to shut the site down, given that the information was already in the public domain before it appeared on 'PleaseBurgleMe'?
Incidentally, I think you mean 'site' -
'sight' is something else entirely (as in 'neighbourhood watch'.)