A retired detective explains how sharing photos can unintentionally reveal your location and personal details.
A retired detective has cautioned online dating users against sending photos to people they've met through dating apps, as these images can inadvertently disclose sensitive information, such as the sender’s location. Mike, a former detective known as Killer Bee Tactical on TikTok, often shares security advice, and in one recent video, he highlighted the potential dangers of sharing photos through online dating platforms.
Mike's warning followed a TikTok user, @persnicketybox, who discovered that when she downloaded a photo sent by her son, she could see the exact time and place it was taken by tapping on the image’s information button. This sparked Mike to explain why this feature could pose risks for online daters. He stressed, “If you’re online dating and you send photos to a stranger, you’ve just sent them where you were.”
He went on to give an example: if you took a photo on your porch, the recipient could easily figure out where you live. Mike suggested a simple solution for those wanting to share images without disclosing their location. “A screenshot doesn’t include that information,” he advised. “Simply take a screenshot of the photo and send that.”
The video has gained significant attention, amassing over 2.4 million views on TikTok, with many users expressing their appreciation for the safety tip. “Ugh, this is so important. Had no idea,” one comment read, while another said, “This could save so many lives. Thank you!”
Mike further explained to The Independent that location services on many smartphones are often enabled by default, making it easy to unintentionally share personal details, like your home or work address. "People with bad intentions could exploit this information," he cautioned.
For those wanting an added layer of protection, Mike recommended either using a screenshot or an app that strips location data from photos before sharing them. "In my work with internet crimes, we sometimes uncovered valuable information from photos in cases of child exploitation," he noted, underscoring the importance of safeguarding one's personal details when sharing images online.
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Pic of the week: Sunset at margate beach
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields