Hyderabad: If the latest dating apps, hobby apps and travellers apps seem ideal for connecting with people, it would do well to get updated on the various threats involved, especially with the ones which use GPRS to trace location-wise matches.
These apps in most cases match two completely unknown people and prompt as potential date, travel or hobby partners. Also, cab booking apps, book sharing apps etc. require permission to use GPRS on mobile phones.
While the popularity of these apps is rapidly increasing, especially in cosmopolitan cities like Hyderabad, they share personal information and details with complete strangers, which has been pointed out as the biggest threat by cops.
While cyber security experts have been advising against using mobile GPRS for tracking, the use of these apps are on the rise.Currently, there are apps available for a host of purposes right from friendship to connecting over a specific hobby, work etc. to apps for booking a cab on a discount.
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Most of these apps, when downloaded, seek permission to use personal information, details and even photographs for installation. “All applications which employ GPRS, can actually be tracked down and in many apps, especially hobby and dating apps, the distance to a person is shown through GPRS. A person technically knows the exact distance to another person shown on the app. Also as these apps ensure that GPRS tracking is on at all times, it will allow tracking even by stalkers," said cyber security expert, Mr Rakshit Tandon.
In fact, with the increased use of these apps, especially for hobby sharing and dating, people also tend to let their guards down and do not question the virtual friend as much as they would have done if they met in person.
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While posting locations and sharing details are not advisable, using many of the new generation apps also need caution, suggest cops and experts.
