Today's Tech Dating 101 centers around location-based services like Loopt and Google Latitude. As cool as these services are, some people are a little creeped out by having people know where they are at all times — even though, of course, you choose to share your location and can choose who you're friends with.
It seems like it would be a great idea for couples — you'd always know where the other one is. It sounds convenient and safe.
However, not everyone is comfortable sending his or her location out and feeling "tracked" — not even when the only person who'd be updated is your significant other.
But if one person in the relationship wants to use Loopt, but the other person doesn't — is there reason to be suspicious?
To see what I think, just read more.
If your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn't want to do Loopt, it's probably not a red flag. Even if you're comfortable with technology — as I am — you may just not want to participate. I feel this way, personally; my boyfriend loves Loopt and Latitude, but I can't bring myself to do it.
Of course, I reject everyone's Loopt invitations because I do like people finding out where I am the old-fashioned way. When I tell them directly. I'm not untrustworthy, and I wouldn't think that anyone who didn't want to do Loopt was, either.
What do you think?
Untold
Polo Ralph Lauren
Pepe Jeans
Do you mean Google Latitude?
1I have to agree with you. I am a self proclaimed techie and love technology, but I don't need for people to be able to pin down my location at a moments notice. If someone wants to know where I am or what I am doing, ask... maybe I will tell you, maybe I won't- it's my choice.
2Loopt only updates your location when you launch the app. So yesterday I loopt'ed from Disneyland. Unless I open up the app again it still shows that I am at Disneyland. Even if it was a constantly showing my exact location I wouldn't care as I only have my closest friends in my Loopt. If my husband didn't Loopt I don't think I would be suspicious. Then again I have no reason to be suspicious in the first place. If you're in a relationship where that throws up a red flag then maybe there are other red flags?
3Too 'Big Brother' for me. It's nobody's business where I am.
4I think it's creepy. I mean, I have nothing to hide, but in the wrong person's hands, it can get out of control. I know I'd be freaked out if my mom came to a store I was at and was like "I saw on whatever you were here, thought I'd stop by". I would be pissed if my boyfriend saw that I was at sears or something buying a TV for him and he came along to say hey.
No thanks on that one.
5Is it shady? No. Definitely not. Of all the things that could be considered shady behavior in a relationship, this is not one of them.
6my (weirdo controlling) ex used to track me on our mobile carrier's website, apparently that's a feature you can add... except he was the "master" account holder, so he could track me but i couldn't track him.
it was really creepy! he didn't know that it texted me every time i was located and kept denying that he'd done it... he was rather embarrassed when i showed him the texts, busting him in a lie and showcasing his obsessive craziness all at once
7btw- i wasn't hiding anywhere, i told him exactly where i was and he was just verifying... so i think the person that wants to do the locating is the one to be suspicious of!
8I agree, weffie! : the person that wants to do the locating is the one to be suspicious of!
Your SO/ spouse/ etc. should be able to trust you when you say "I'm going to be _____________ ." and leave it at that. If s/he needs constant proof - Big Red Flag.
9This is no big. I would not make a big deal out of it.
Bri
10This is too much like Big Brother to be tracked all the time. I wouldn't sign up for it.
11My boyfriend and I use this together. I think it actually helps our relationship, not hurts it.
12The people saying it's too big brother haven't used the app. It's not like it always tells people where you are. It only tells them when you decide to let them know by using the app.
My b/f and I have the app, but haven't used it in ages. With Twitter, Facebook, texts, and phone calls, it's a wonder if we don't know where the other is at all times anyway.
13No matter how much you love someone It never feels nice to feel untrusted enough that your partner feels they need to track you like a package. I would feel intruded on, everyone needs their own little bit of privacy even if they only want to get out and take a walk or something by themselves. People this paranoid are annoying really.
14There are other location based services, like Mizoon, that allow you to have more control over when and who knows where you are as you choose when to update it rather than it being automatic. Loopt isn't available on my phone yet so I use Mizoon as it is web based and available on any phone with Internet access.
15If you are finding issues in things as simple as a social networking site, there may be other reasons why you do not fee like you can trust this person.
16Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.