My Buzz Paparazzi

Make it. Tag it. Share it. Are we becoming our own version of paprazzi malice?
Twitpics - emphasis on the Twit part - can be revealing. Not only from the social curiosity of 'what I am doing' details (ooo salicious), but for the Followers who are keen to see, not only where we are, but how we are. This is the danger of camera phones and Twitter mobile applications people.

New York, ever the city ahead of the game, has banned mobile phones from its Top Private Members Clubs (boo no fun, now where can we get pictures of Loopy Lohan?!) You leave your coat and gadgets at the door. Gossip Girl territory this is NOT. Unless you're James Bond and have hidden on your person something descrete intended to broadcast the indescrete.

Staying in Turkey a couple of weeks ago slicing through Kalkan harbour was yacht 'A' - owned by Andrey Melnichenko, the 36-year-old Russian billionaire industrialist. Aside from the imposing presence there exists a 'no photo (we're rich) please' forcefield. And not to be outdone another Russian billionaire Roman Ambramovich has installed an anti-paparazzi “shield”. Both are likely to have other 'lasers' too, to slice at a distance any paps caught snooping at the bow.

In sum, social media is for the sharing of personal information, yours and mine, with known friends and other friends of friends - who might be friends in the future. Or not. This level of social sharing promotes individuals as social savvy, successful and open. Unless your Jordan, then you just look needy, tacky and should probably stop tweeting it all up anyway. And keep your clothes on.

Alongside all these information shares, there should be concerns about privacy and surveillance. If you are not concerned yet, you should be. What problems exist now - such as the dilemmas about not being able to find friends, to disconnect and regrets over sharing too much - are only going to be further accentuated in the future. Are we ready for this? And what are the social and legal consequences? Will we always be seen to be part of 'fluffy' and nice communities? Or do things have the possibility to become as malicious as they are pervasive?

Hoping to answer some of these questions, is a workshop about Privacy and Security on Social Networks in Belgium next month. I intend to go - fireworks and all (its on November 5th). I shall report back from the frontline - paparazzi style for readers here. Watch this post...