Earlier today Google released Buzz, which I happen to love so far. But I noticed something after I posted my first Buzz. Something I found actually quite disconcerting; unless you disable your exact location, Google’s Buzz will post your address. Imagine a complete stranger having your home address to do with what they please.
Now, let’s take a little step back into internet history with a site we have all come to love or hate, Craigslist. Craigslist was great when it first started to get some tickets, sell stuff, buy used equipment, etc. (which I still use a lot btw) but it has now being used by many thieves for scams like these two examples here and here.
A problem I can already foresee on Google’s Buzz, it crooks or rapists seeing a location that you are at when you Buzz about something. And having seen an older one of your Buzz’s locations, these people could possibly find out where you are at and look at older Buzz’s which now they have the address to your home. In turn they could clean out your house if they find out you are on vacation or at a meeting in another city.
For the female Buzzer, a stalker could view your photo on one of your Buzzes, and if attracted, they could conceivable track you down to the location you are currently at and follow you home. This could be particularly dangerous if you are walking home alone from an event you just buzzed about.
My suggestion: use the location map when Buzzing around town but not with a specific address, otherwise, you can surely expect the unscrupulous to provide you some unexpected company or become an uninvited treasure seeker into your home to grab your belongings while you are away on vacation – selling your items on Craigslist of course.
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