Don’t share live location on social media, advises police officer

CHENNAI: People should not share live location to unknown persons through social media; instead, it should be sent to family members and other trusted persons so as to remain safe, said SP Lavanya, Additional Superintendent of Police (Women and Children Safety), Dindigul. She was speaking on the ways to prevent online abuse at an event organised by Penn on Saturday.

Many tend to share locations even in unnecessary situations like when they are traveling in an autorickshaw or even when they are going for birthday party or to the hotel, she noted, advising people to avoid doing that.

Sharing her experience as a cybersecurity expert on complaints regarding online abuse, she recalled an instance where a girl became victim to a social media crime. “Recently, we came across a case in Salem where a girl used to post her photographs on social media and a guy morphed her photo into a nude picture. She informed her parents about the incident. However, they did not believe her. So she ended her life,” Lavanya said.

Online sessions have become very common due to the lockdown and restrictions brought about by COVID-19 pandemic, which made it necessary for people to be exposed to online activities. “That is where people should know how to keep a balance, make sure it does not intrude into their privacy and create unnecessary problems,” said Sridhar VS, Managing Trustee, Penn.

He said the session was organised for the benefit of parents and working women, but not for students because their understanding is different.