I didn't know this.... - The Firearms Forum

ofitg · 11-12-2010, 12:16 AM

OK, I'm an old fart and I don't keep up with all the modern gizmos. Perhaps everybody else knew about this already, but here goes...

Just heard on the news that photos taken with certain cellphones can be tagged with GPS coordinates..... post one of those photos online, and tech-savvy strangers can pinpoint the location where that photo was taken.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/money/consu...and-play-areas

As the story points out, this can be a serious security threat.

Naybor · 11-12-2010, 10:17 AM

Yeah, My phone has the GPS feature on it too. I can go into the settings where there are three possibilities listed
1. On all the time.
2. On for 911 only.
3. Off

I keep mine set for "911 only" as I guess there are times that would be beneficial.
The police dispatcher has the technology to read where I am if the feature is "on", and not if off. Maybe others can too. I really don't know about the pictures. That might be something to research!

I agree, the new "droid" and other newfangled phones are way over my head.

I just want a regular cellphone, and to be honest, it would be hard to do without one now.

10-4 on the "old fart"! (66 year old kid)

Jeff Midguard · 11-12-2010, 11:09 AM

I remember when the protesting was going on in Iran. Our people were advising them to
remove the simm card and battery when they moved so they couldn't be tracked.

Gun Geezer · 11-12-2010, 06:21 PM

I read in today's paper where a new cell phone is about to hit the market that has speech to text capabilities. Hello! Do they not know that if you're gonna bother to talk into the damn thing, the people who would read the text message could just as easily hear you? That's why they call it a PHONE!

bmpeele · 11-12-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Geezer

I read in today's paper where a new cell phone is about to hit the market that has speech to text capabilities. Hello! Do they not know that if you're gonna bother to talk into the damn thing, the people who would read the text message could just as easily hear you? That's why they call it a PHONE!

I completely agree. That's why I don't have a cell phone. To many people would rather text something for an hour that would take 10 minutes to say.

armedandsafe · 11-13-2010, 09:43 PM

Most digital cameras embed information called EXIF data. If the camera has a GPS chip, this data is recorded, unless turned off. That data follows the photograph wherever it goes, unless purposely removed. With certain programs, one can enter GPS data into the EXIF storage area, which might prove interesting should the photograph ever become court evidence.

Pops

11-12-2010, 12:16 AM	#1
ofitg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,447	I didn't know this.... OK, I'm an old fart and I don't keep up with all the modern gizmos. Perhaps everybody else knew about this already, but here goes... Just heard on the news that photos taken with certain cellphones can be tagged with GPS coordinates..... post one of those photos online, and tech-savvy strangers can pinpoint the location where that photo was taken. http://www.abc15.com/dpp/money/consu...and-play-areas As the story points out, this can be a serious security threat. --> Last edited by ofitg; 11-12-2010 at 12:23 AM..

11-12-2010, 10:17 AM	#2
Naybor Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 13	Re: I didn't know this.... Yeah, My phone has the GPS feature on it too. I can go into the settings where there are three possibilities listed 1. On all the time. 2. On for 911 only. 3. Off I keep mine set for "911 only" as I guess there are times that would be beneficial. The police dispatcher has the technology to read where I am if the feature is "on", and not if off. Maybe others can too. I really don't know about the pictures. That might be something to research! I agree, the new "droid" and other newfangled phones are way over my head. I just want a regular cellphone, and to be honest, it would be hard to do without one now. 10-4 on the "old fart"! (66 year old kid)

11-12-2010, 11:09 AM	#3
Jeff Midguard V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Baja Arizona Posts: 233	Re: I didn't know this.... I remember when the protesting was going on in Iran. Our people were advising them to remove the simm card and battery when they moved so they couldn't be tracked.

11-12-2010, 06:21 PM	#4
Gun Geezer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,710	Re: I didn't know this.... I read in today's paper where a new cell phone is about to hit the market that has speech to text capabilities. Hello! Do they not know that if you're gonna bother to talk into the damn thing, the people who would read the text message could just as easily hear you? That's why they call it a PHONE!

11-13-2010, 09:43 PM	#6
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: I didn't know this.... Most digital cameras embed information called EXIF data. If the camera has a GPS chip, this data is recorded, unless turned off. That data follows the photograph wherever it goes, unless purposely removed. With certain programs, one can enter GPS data into the EXIF storage area, which might prove interesting should the photograph ever become court evidence. Pops