I've seen a lot of activity on the web about pleaserobme. I use Google Latitude, geotag my Twitter updates, and use foursquare1, and have some thoughts to share.
to start
most burglaries are not targeting anyone in particular, you didn't get burgled because you're a celebrity2, it was because someone drove past your house, decided it was easier to get into than others in the area, saw something they liked, figured out when you were home or asleep, and absconded with your stuff. it all boils down to opportunity.
but pleaserobme tells people where I am!
this is basic security. you can't safely assume your address is not secret, same for your whereabouts.
even if you assume that some criminal is actually targeting you:
- if someone knows your address, everyone knows your address. do you get junk mail? your address has already been sold multiple times and can be figured out without too much trouble.
- if someone knows when you're not home, everyone knows when you're not home. it's trivial to determine whether someone is in a building without them knowing.
- your property is only as protected as the things that lock it and, when they are overcome3, the response4.
- only your key is actually secret, whether it's RFID5, a lock's key6, or a PIN7.
remember
no one cares about you enough to rob you selectively when, at any given time the sun is out, every other house on your block is unoccupied. everyone has stuff valuable enough8 to be stolen.
if you are someone who is actually at risk of selective burglary, chances are good that you know it and have invested in some combination of sturdy doors, expensive locks and latches, protected windows, a security system, and even an on-site security force. you invest as much in your security system as you need to overcome how much a burglar cares about you over The Other Guy.
because you are smart about security.
technology is merging with the physical world and timely location information is the new piece of metadata that allows the two to converge effectively. this is The Future.
1 though I also downloaded gowalla, and now use neither
2 if you are a celebrity, don't worry. I'll cover you later.
3 there is no such thing as an unbreakable door/window or lock
4 maybe you have an alarm system, maybe your ceiling is loaded with flashbangs, maybe your things publish their location
5 maybe. if it doesn't use challenge/response it's not hard to steal and replicate RFID tags
6 assuming no one is watching with a camera
7 assuming you cover the keypad
8 to the thief, anyway. I've had some weird shit stolen from me in the past
