Many mobile phones including the I-Phone and an increasing number of digital cameras have Geo-Tagging facilities. This technology adds the location of where the picture was taken to the picture file. Anyone with the correct software, including freely available Google Picasa / Google Earth can, with a couple of clicks, view the exact location where the picture was taken.
It is possible for anyone using Google / Earth to fly to the location where the picture was taken and look down on the roof of the property. One click and you are in “street mode” standing outside the front door of the property concerned.
I have been monitoring this site and I have warned anyone that I have seen putting themselves at risk by posting pictures of their still. The reactions have been mixed, but in the main, people have been extremely alarmed that they were unaware that this technology exists, and have acted quickly to rectify the situation.
You may think that where you are no one gives a hoot about your still, you may be right. But this is a world wide community and some members do not have that luxury, living in counties where governments are actively looking for the type of information that some pictures on this site give them voluntarily.
Things that can be done –
On your phone or camera you can switch off the Geo-Tagging option.
If you have existing pictures you can use a suitable program such as Exif Tag Remover Or Google’s Picasa to remove the offending data.
Again, using something like Picasa / Google Earth, change the coordinates of the picture to those of the Mayor’s house.
What ever you do, do not stop sending the pictures - we all enjoy them.
I have raised this now due to the fact that I have recently seen an increase in the number of times this happens.
Please be careful
Geo-tagging - PLEASE READ
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