Most people share their location without realising it’s implications.
Photos, fitness apps, smartwatches and routine check ins constantly upload precise coordinates online. Criminals monitor these digital traces to track movement patterns, daily routines and vulnerable moments. This is one of the fastest rising stalking methods today.
How Location Data Leaks:
- Instagram and Facebook photos contain hidden location tags if not removed.
- Smartwatches and fitness apps map running routes, home entry points and timings.
- Food delivery and ride apps store detailed movement logs.
- Children’s smartwatches reveal school routes and play areas.
- Social media stories expose real time locations in seconds.
Real World Evidence:
- Fitness app Strava once revealed military base locations because soldiers publicly shared running routes. Source:https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42853072
- Multiple police advisories in India warn that burglars use social media location posts to confirm when families are not home. Source:https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/digital-footprints-help-criminals-track-targets-police-warn-101676760347539.html
- Researchers documented rising cases of stalkers using location metadata from photos to follow victims. Source:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9681489/
Risks You Must Know:
- Stalkers can track exact home addresses from recurring tagged posts.
- Children can be monitored through smartwatch location sharing.
- Criminals can follow predictable routines like morning walks or office commutes.
- Couples facing domestic abuse are especially vulnerable to location tracking.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Turn off location tagging on all social platforms.
- Never post photos in real time at home, school or workplace.
- Audit smartwatch and fitness app privacy settings to hide routes.
- Disable live location sharing except during emergencies.
- Remove metadata from images before uploading.
- Teach children never to share school or home locations online.
Why It Matters:
Location is the most sensitive form of personal information. Once exposed, it cannot be taken back. Criminals use it to predict your movements, target your vulnerable moments and track your children without detection. Protecting location data is fundamental safety, not optional awareness.
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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’
The Akancha Srivastava Foundation is India’s leading social impact initiative dedicated to advancing cyber safety awareness and education. Established in February 2017, this not-for-profit Section 8 organization is a trusted voice in promoting safe online practices across the nation.
Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:
- Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
- ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
- ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
- Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)
Our Mission
The Foundation is committed to educating, empowering, and building bridges between the public and authorities on critical cyber safety issues. Additionally, we specialize in forensics training for law enforcement, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle cybercrime effectively.