How big is the privacy risk from geo tagging?

According to a survey conducted by Pew Research, around 47% of users are worried about their privacy.
Technological advancements have made many tasks easier, but they have also put people’s privacy at risk. Previously, people used to share their location through geo tagging while posting their pictures on social media. However, due to data leaks, people have become increasingly concerned about their privacy. This is why people have significantly reduced their use of geo tagging. This fact has been confirmed by a survey conducted by Pew Research. The report states that around 47% of users are concerned about their privacy when connecting with friends on social media. People who understand the internet well are reluctant to share more personal data than necessary.

A few years ago, adding location tags to posts was an essential part of social media users’ experience. However, in the past three to four years, many users have stopped using geo tagging while posting pictures due to the fear of their data being leaked. Additionally, the trend of publicly sharing location is gradually decreasing, which also contributes to users avoiding it.

Reduced usage of geo tagging
According to reports, before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 9 out of 10 people used to add location tags to their posts. However, since the COVID-19 era, the use of geo tagging has significantly decreased. Now, only three to five people use this tool. Many content creators and celebrities have also stopped sharing their location. Instead, they share the details of a place after leaving that location.

What do experts say?
Cyber experts, like Divya Tanwar, state that geo tagging has always been a privacy risk, which people who have spent a long time on social media can understand well. It can be helpful for stalkers as it reveals a person’s location, posing a threat to people’s privacy. Initially, the purpose of location tagging was to enhance one’s social image, such as showcasing dining at an expensive restaurant or visiting popular places. However, this hobby can now become a problem for you.

What is geo tagging?
Geo Tagging refers to providing accurate information about a location through photos or videos. It reveals the geographical coordinates of the place where you are present. This tool enables users to easily identify the location using Google Maps.