Poll: PleaseRobMe.com

[Uszi]

So how many of you all have heard of this?

http://pleaserobme.com/

The creators started the website in order to raise awareness about internet safety--basically, they're trying to say, "Stop the constant twitter updates! Your endangering your home and property!"

In order to make their point, they made a website which keeps track of Twitter updates which confirm that the person is not at home recently. They then use other information on the internet to locate their PRECISE location, which they display on a map. I heard of the site from a TV program where they used Please Rob Me to locate people and interview them. They simply went to where the website told them to go, found the person, and then explained how they found them.

Most of the people they interviewed were kind of grossed out. But some of them said they still weren't going to change their Twitter/facebook habits!

SO!
The question I'm posing is, are the creators of this website providing a good service and successfully raising awareness? Or are they irresponsible, and needlessly endangering people, given that someone might actually use the website to perpetrate a crime?

I'm not sure! Convince me either way!

EDIT: Post to explain your vote! >:O

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

This is one of the many trillions of reasons I don't use Twitter (but I still unashamedly use Facebook - however I'm not stupid enough to tell people I am leaving my house. I despise the people who keep spewing their life stories onto my news feed). Unfortunately the thought of Stephen Fry is an enticing one.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

The information they provide is only there because the people who use Twitter and similar services put it online themselves. It's not telling anyone anything they can't find out through other means.

While it is undoubtedly easier to have all the info you need in one location, they're not putting anyone in more danger than they put themselves in. But by presenting this information in such a way, they are making a clear statement: The stuff you put online can be seen by anyone, including people who would abuse that information.

 

[Uszi]

So all the people who voted that they are being responsible:

If someone got robbed as a result of the information they found on Please Rob Me, or say an estranged boyfriend stabbed someone based on that info, would the creators of the website have any responsibility for that?

 

[DazZ.]

The people come from all over the world, it's going to be hard for someone sat at home to have someone within reach even if they did wait for days.
It might give them the idea to check the twitters of people close to them though.

The more it raises awareness, the more criminals have the idea, and the more people will think about it and just shrug it off.

But they are successfully raising awareness, if that's a good thing or not I'm not sure.

 

[Deleted]

Thats awesome, I bet the twitterers are offended by this. "Stop exploiting my stupidity!"

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

but I still unashamedly use Facebook - however I'm not stupid enough to tell people I am leaving my house. I despise the people who keep spewing their life stories onto my news feed).

Don't despise, use the IGNORE feature.

Anyway, I have a 10 month old kitten at home to keep my house safe.

 

[TriggerHappyAngel]

what they're doing is awesome, people have to know that twitter is completely useless!

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

but I still unashamedly use Facebook - however I'm not stupid enough to tell people I am leaving my house. I despise the people who keep spewing their life stories onto my news feed).

Don't despise, use the IGNORE feature.

I'm working up the nerve to post the most scathing of comments before scuttling away with my hand clasped over my mouth in merriment. Until then, I am in waiting for the correct "ARGH MY LIFE IS WORSE THAN ALL THOSE STARVING AFRICANS' LIVES WILL EVER BE! SOMEONE WHO I NEVER ENQUIRE AFTER THE LIFE OF COME AND HOLD MY HAND WHILE I BURDEN YOU WITH MY PATHETIC SOB STORIES" status to arrive, to make the effect that much sweeter.

And if they kill themselves because of it, at least I've silenced those annoying statuses.

 

[ChocoFace]

i think they are recklessly raising awareness.
I need a 'both' option.

 

[Riobux]

What they're doing, I will admit is reckless and irresponsible but in a good way. People who tell the public they're off out for a week-end in their Twitter do deserve to be robbed just because the only people who are that interested besides the small group of friends who would know anyway, are thieves. People who can't establish that no one cares about their personal life, do deserve to be robbed. Simple as that really.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

So all the people who voted that they are being responsible:

If someone got robbed as a result of the information they found on Please Rob Me, or say an estranged boyfriend stabbed someone based on that info, would the creators of the website have any responsibility for that?

I don't think they do.

As I said, they're not the ones putting the information online. If I put a message on Twitter and my home gets broken into as a result, then I shouldn't have put that message online. If you put information on a publicly accessible site like Twitter you should be aware that anyone can read it.

 

[Milney]

So all the people who voted that they are being responsible:

If someone got robbed as a result of the information they found on Please Rob Me, or say an estranged boyfriend stabbed someone based on that info, would the creators of the website have any responsibility for that?

I don't think they do.

As I said, they're not the ones putting the information online. If I put a message on Twitter and my home gets broken into as a result, then I shouldn't have put that message online. If you put information on a publicly accessible site like Twitter you should be aware that anyone can read it.

Indeed. Just like those "TV/Movie Streaming Sites" that are impossible to be shut down - they're not hosting the information, or even putting it online. All they do is link to where this information is already freely available.

Such a brilliantly sumple plan aswell, hopefully this will curb the amount of whiny self-indulgent people who think anyone actually cares about thier existence.

 

[Uszi]

i think they are recklessly raising awareness.
I need a 'both' option.

I mean, if they raise awareness than they are raising awareness, reckless or not.

The other option is if you think they're needlessly endangering people.

I kind of despise polls with like 10 options. It should be two, unless it's strongly relevant to have more than two. But I hate polls with like 12 options where the only thing different is the wording.

/rant.

 

[ChocoFace]

i think they are recklessly raising awareness.
I need a 'both' option.

I mean, if they raise awareness than they are raising awareness, reckless or not.

The other option is if you think they're needlessly endangering people.

I kind of despise polls with like 10 options. It should be two, unless it's strongly relevant to have more than two. But I hate polls with like 12 options where the only thing different is the wording.

/rant.

They are doing both: raising awareness and being a little too reckless about it(the 2 aren't opposites, as it turns out).
Also, no one said anything about 10 options, i only suggested a 3rd one.
and you don't even seem to care to make sense. Please, think your posts through.

 

[That One Six]

Exactly why I don't use Twitter.

 

[A.I. Sigma]

but I still unashamedly use Facebook - however I'm not stupid enough to tell people I am leaving my house. I despise the people who keep spewing their life stories onto my news feed).

Don't despise, use the IGNORE feature.

I'm working up the nerve to post the most scathing of comments before scuttling away with my hand clasped over my mouth in merriment. Until then, I am in waiting for the correct "ARGH MY LIFE IS WORSE THAN ALL THOSE STARVING AFRICANS' LIVES WILL EVER BE! SOMEONE WHO I NEVER ENQUIRE AFTER THE LIFE OF COME AND HOLD MY HAND WHILE I BURDEN YOU WITH MY PATHETIC SOB STORIES" status to arrive, to make the effect that much sweeter.

And if they kill themselves because of it, at least I've silenced those annoying statuses.

*has done that several times*

People are wary of me on Facebook. XD

 

[Queen Michael]

So all the people who voted that they are being responsible:

If someone got robbed as a result of the information they found on Please Rob Me, or say an estranged boyfriend stabbed someone based on that info, would the creators of the website have any responsibility for that?

No, they didn't make the boyfriend murderous.

 

[Quad08]

I still don't understand what Twitter is...

And my Facebook updates consist of random quotes from famous people.

I'd say they are raising awareness

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I still don't understand what Twitter is...

And my Facebook updates consist of random quotes from famous people.

I'd say they are raising awareness

I'd prefer random quotes than just the crappy song lyrics and trivial information about their shitty days. At least mine are every so often thoughtful, provocative, and immensely elitist.