Facebook
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Facebook Places was rolled out last week as the new way to check-in and share your location with everyone on your Facebook Friends list. Did you know that one of the features of Facebook Places is that your friends can tag you at a location?
What does that mean for you? What if you're not even using the Facebook Places application?
Simply put, you can be tagged at a location just like you are tagged in a photo or video. And just like photos or videos, you don't have any control over who is tagging you where...by default. However, you CAN change your privacy settings to disable friends from checking you in somewhere without your consent.
Here's how:
- In the upper right hand corner of your Facebook page, click on "account"
- From the drop down menu that appears, click on "privacy settings"
- Toward the bottom of the screen, click on "customize settings"
- Under the section "Things Others Share," find "Friends can check me into Places"
- The default setting is on "enable." Simply click the drop down box and change the setting to "disable." (See Photo Above)
You're now protected against being tagged at a location that you either don't wish to disclose or aren't actually at. I'll be following up with an article that highlights some of the reasons the tagging feature isn't a good idea. Even if you choose to use Facebook Places (I recommend against it), it's always a good idea to maintain control over when and where you disclose your whereabouts. Don't leave yourself at the mercy of Facebook spammers, drunk friends, or even well-meaning friends that have a tendancy to post TMI.
If you wish to opt out of Facebook Places altogether, follow the step-by-step directions found here.
Until next time...
