Monday, September 20, 2010

The Alibi App

If you don't know what Facebook Places is, thanks for crawling out from underneath your fav rock to join us.

According to Facebook: "Places is a Facebook feature that allows you to see where your friends are and share your location in the real world. When you use Places, you'll be able to see if any of your friends are currently checked in nearby and connect with them easily. You can check into nearby Places to tell your friends where you are, tag your friends in the Places you visit, and view comments your friends have made about the Places you visit. Use Places to experience connecting with people on Facebook in a completely new way."

My first reaction to this application was that I really don't want othes knowing THAT much about me.  It is bad enough I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook but now people are telling me there every move.  I was much happier when they just updated their status every few seconds with the mundane tasks of daily life.

After I finished my mental rant I realized this application could be used for good and evil.  Sure you can see where friends are connect with them easily.  I can not imagine I am the first one to think of this as "the alibi app".  Think about it.  A teenager tells his parents he is at the school football game and as such, checks in there.  In reality, Little Johnny is reeking havoc with his friends in his girlfriend's basement while her parents are out of town.

What about the husband that tells his wife he is working late and checks in on Places accordingly.  In reality he is loosing his shirt at the local casino.  As to not sound sexist; what about the wife that tells her hubs she is going to the gym but in reality is out spending the college fund at the mall.

I know this idea is not new, I just don't like giving up that much info about my where-abouts.  Don't look for me to check in anytime soon.