Geotagging poses significant security risks, particularly as an aspect of social media. Even the military is concerned that its soldiers, sailors or marines could inadvertently distribute sensitive information through geotagging. In fact, the U.S. military lost four AH-64 Apache helicopters because the enemy was able to use a geotagged image uploaded to the Internet to discern their location. The risk has become so real for the military that all branches have actually integrated it into their training for new and established personnel alike.
What Is Geotagging?
A geotag is metadata that exists within an image or other media. Geotagging is the process of inserting that metadata into the image, video, SMS message, QR code, RSS feed and so forth. A geotag includes at minimum latitude and longitude, but it can also consist of accuracy data, altitude, bearing, distance and even the names of places. Geotagging has many very fun and practical uses. If, for instance, an adventurer were to photograph a natural landmark that they came across, then that photo would include all the information needed for someone else to find it as well.
Protecting Yourself
Geotagging presents real risk to the average person as well. Even living in Idaho, a family member could post an image that undermines their home security. In fact, the companies that provide home security in Idaho have begun to stress geotagging and other risks associated with social media.
Protecting Your Children
When you consider all the risks associated with geotagging and how they affect our home security, the biggest concern is children. Kids generally don’t appreciate the severity of such issues, and many don’t think twice about uploading their pictures to the Web. As parents, it is necessary to make children understand the dangers of geotagging and to show them how to practice good security habits. This concern with children’s geotagging on social media is so important that it may even require parents to monitor them.
Identifying and Controlling Devices
Assume that all devices that can take photographs and capture video, including outdoor security cameras, have geotagging capabilities. Identify what those features are and how to enable and disable them. Note that for most mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, geotagging capabilities are OS-level services, which means that you can enable and disable them at the device level. It’s best to control them in this manner so you don’t have to worry about each individual app.
Security Cameras
Geotagging is in the process of becoming a standard feature on all outdoor security cameras; this includes those used residentially, commercially and by the government on our streets. Geotagging isn’t always a bad thing, and when a crime does occur, the geotag provides additional information that law enforcement and the legal system can use to apprehend criminals and bring them to justice.
Conclusion
Make a list of all the devices that your family uses, and then disable geotagging on them. You can re-enable that feature when you know you need it. For Android devices, the option is in Settings and labeled either Location Storage or Geotagging. For Apple devices, the option is in the General section of the Settings page and labeled Location Services.
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