This is done to make sure that you are who you say you are on your driver’s license. I guess that’s good since lots of kids have fake IDs these days. Of course some people see this as an invasion of privacy.

You can’t blame the establishments. They have to pay heavy fines if an underaged customer is found inside. People will no doubt just start to lie about their age on Facebook anyway, so what does this really accomplish? What do you guys think?

[via BBC via Ubergizmo]

(Facebook ID photo: Tobias Leingruber)

Girls Around Me worked by providing the user with a view of the women (or men) who currently happen to be in the same area as the user, all with a tap on the screen. The app pulled location information from publicly visible Facebook profiles of other users who have checked into the area using Foursquare. While the app wouldn’t let you search for specific people and find their location, it did show images of girls who were in your immediate vicinity.

It might seem like the player’s perfect app, but it’s one that could also be used in the wrongest of ways by stalkers and other unsavory types.

The app eventually raised so much public outcry that Foursquare cut off API access to the app, on the grounds that it violated a policy against aggregating information across venues. Later, the app was pulled from the App Store due to the broken API access – though Apple hasn’t commented on whether they played any part in pulling down the app.

Girls Around Me might be dead for now, but the privacy issues are still very much alive.

[via NYT via Dvice]

On some levels, it showcased the power of social media. On another, it poses a huge safety issue because someone who didn’t like what you said (or what you’re trying to start) might decide to hunt you down. After all, they have your photos, and they have your general location.

So for whenever you’d want to protect your content, there’s Privly. Or at least, there will be, if enough backers fund their project, which is currently up on Kickstarter.

The idea behind Privly is that you never give public websites access to your private content at all. Instead, your content is encrypted, uploaded securely to Privly’s servers, and a special browser plugin decrypts the links and display the content for those you trust. Those you don’t trust will only see a link to the content, but those you do will see the protected content in its place.

If the developers reach their funding goal (which is ten grand), they’ll be able to build an open source encryption library for Privly-type extensions and pull off a few more items from their roadmap, including peer-to-peer networking which would eliminate the risks associated with the centralized storage at Privly.

If you’re concerned about the privacy of content you want to share online, you can make a pledge to show your support for the project on Kickstarter, if you want to.

The  turtle-like DESKSHELL was created by the design studio Kawamura-Ganjavian. They designed it in response to more and more offices opting for open office space, which clearly has reduced privacy. The shell is made out of sound-absorbing materials, so that you can ruminate in peace.

It might make you look a bit loony, but that being said, it can be handy when you want to work undisturbed for a while, and concentrate at the task at hand.

Of course, if you’ve ever been caught watching porn or are a compulsive Facebooker, your boss will probably think twice before approving this, though.

[via designboom]

And it’s for those times that the Privacy Pop bed tent is most fitting. On normal days, it’s a bed. Just unzip everything, and you’ll have a sort-of canopy bed, minus the frilly or fancy curtains.

Whenever you want to be alone or shut the world out for a while, then just zip yourself into the Privacy Pop and hole up so you can get the privacy that you need.

The Privacy Pop fits onto twin and twin XL beds and is priced at $199.95 (USD).

[via OhGizmo! via Gizmag]

Granted, these kind of people aren’t just on Facebook; they’re actually all over the web. The social network is just kind of a concern, because it’s a site that many of the younger ones frequent lately. Some go on Facebook for the connections or for the networking, but since they’re kids, you can expect them to go online a lot as well for the games. With this in the mind, the Kidsocial network geared specifically towards kids was born.

What makes it different from traditional social networks is that random people can’t just “friend” or add other people up if they don’t know each other in the real world. Kidsocial does this by generating “secret friendship codes they can pass out to their real-world friends at school or by text message.”

When the code is entered, the two kids are connected and their parents will automatically be informed about the new connection. This only applies to those under 13 years of age, though. Those who are already 13 and up can use the site just like Facebook.

Kidsocial isn’t just a social network either; it’s being branded as a social entertainment network, so you can expect a lot of media content on the site as well.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

Watch the demo below to find out how to use BlackSMS:

I find it a bit tedious to keep switching between the Message app and BlackSMS, especially if you end up engaged in a long conversation. It would’ve been nicer if it was integrated into iMessage itself; then again I’m not sure if Apple will allow that. Also, keep in mind that both you and the person you’re texting have to have the app and need to be texting with iMessage, not regular SMS. But if you can’t wait to pass digital secret notes, download BlackSMS from the App Store for $0.99 (USD). Just don’t render it useless with a weak password, okay?

[via Lifehacker]

In the case that you happen to have an account with a company that had been hacked, then fret not, because you can use PwnedList to check if your information has been compromised.

The online tool was developed by Alan Puzic, who is a professional security intelligence researcher who’s into “white-hat” hacking (or the good kind, if there really is one). In an interview, Puzic said: “Our goal was to design a simple-to-use online portal where an average user could check to see if his or her account credentials were leaked.”

You can check if your accounts are safe simply by typing in your username or e-mail address and hitting “Check.” If you find you’ve been compromised, now would be a good time to go change all of your passwords that use that email address. And if you’re worried about PwnedList itself, don’t, because they won’t store any of the information that you enter or any hits on searches you’ve made for your accounts on its database.

[via PCWorld]

That’s where the Salangbang comes in. This piece of furniture is like a chair version of a cocoon. In fact, it looks cushy and comfortable enough to serve as a bed.

You can easily fold it open if you’ve got company so you can share the space. And when you’re alone or if you need some space, just fold it back shut and swing the doors closed.

The Salangbang was designed by Seung Yong Song, who drew inspiration from the cottage he used to live in, saying: “Opening the doors, the cottage became one altogether with the yard, streams and nature. That cottage of the time is gone, but good memories from that place create another illusion. The same type of two objects may face each other, stand side by side, or stand alone. By opening and closing the door, space is connected or divided. Even within an extensive space, It is possible to create a cozy space of (your) own.”

[via Chair Blog]

Well, the New York Police Department’s plan for mobile weapon scanners sort of remind me of that, but they are, of course, completely different.

The NYPD is developing a small, portable version of the full body scanners – similar to those that you have to go through in the airport, but using infrared sensors. These devices would enable officers to determine if someone is carrying or concealing a weapon under his or her clothes, without having to leave the police car or van. The device would be able to differentiate between the suspect’s body and any metal objects they are carrying.

The initiative was announced this week by NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. So far, Kelly reports they have already been able to produce a prototype scanner in conjunction with the Department of Defense, although it’s still pretty limited: it only has a range of three to four feet. Kelly remains confident though, that they can push this up to eighty feet with continued work on the project.

[via Gothamist via Dvice]

While in the bag, the “nano-silver”-lined SilentPocket also makes your phone impossible to hack wirelessly, blocking out all RFI and electromagnetic transmissions. Once it’s placed within, your phone or tablet will be completely shut off from the outside world. That means that all texts, emails and voicemails will only arrive once you take it out again. While you normally might just press the sleep switch on your device, many phones can still be tracked even if you think your phone is powered off. Of course, you could go into airplane mode to completely shut off communications.

Still, if you’re worried about what information you device might be sharing while you’re not using it, then this will do the trick. The MIAmobi SilentPocket comes in different sizes, to fit your smart phone and your tablet, but no prices are listed on the website.

[via Ubergizmo]

A quirky solution? The Photoblocker Beer Cooler.

The Norte Photoblocker was created for an ad campaign of Norte Beer, a South American brewer. The cooler has been equipped with a sensor that detects when a flash is fired from a camera. Once it does, it emits a flash of its own – ruining the picture and saving your job/relationship/friendships/reputation in the process.

In case you’re wondering, the ones behind the Photoblocker Beer Cooler are the fine folks from Argentinian ad agency Del Campo/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, and yes, they have actually made some of these and provided them to nightclubs already.

[via Fast Company via Oh Gizmo!]

This ultra-cool office cubicle was designed by London’s David Ajasa-Adekunle of the Innovation Imperative studio. It was designed to be an extremely, well, different kind of workspace either for your home or for your office. Each self-contained workpod can be opened or closed to increase privacy or to let the light in.

But let’s face it, unless you’re your own boss, I doubt you’ll be able to secure permission to haul in your own cubicle, especially for something that looks like it’s going to be taking up a whole lot of space – thought it does look like they’ll be able to closely interlock if you convince your company to replace all their cubicles with them.

That said, Tetra Shed is a futuristic office cubicle that will be made available to the eager working public early next year. What do you think?

[via Dvice]

The coolest part though, is that if a shopper walks into the store to pick up a purchase that they made using the downloadable Apple Store App’s Personal Pickup feature, the staff is alerted when they arrive in the store for pick up without the shopper having to do anything. It even tells them the location of the customer. The goal is that the person walks in, and a store employee walks up to them with their stuff.

That actually sounds pretty darn cool. It would be great to walk into a crowded Apple Store and have them bring you your stuff rather than having to wait in line or find someone free on the floor. Are apps like this cool in your mind or too “big brother?”

[via NYT]

The management firm had antennas and software installed from a company called Footpath Technology. The software allows the malls to see the path that shoppers take through the mall using triangulation of the unique device ID of the mobile phones most of us carry. The reason for the tracking is to see how people flow through the mall to help optimize retail space and merchandising.

The malls say that nothing personal is tracked about the user. The tech claims to not be able to capture phone numbers, texts, or calls. I still think most people won’t like this at all. That said, malls have been using similar tactics using video cameras for quite some time now.

[via CNN via PhysOrg]

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be in the mood to be all nice and hyper to my colleagues and co-workers, some of who just happen to rub off on me the wrong way. So when you happen to be in a crappy mood, you can pull down designer Mathieu Servais’ Efi Office Space Divider to cover your head and get you some much-desired privacy.

..But did I mention that you’ll probably look like and be labeled as a freak when you do? I mean, it’s a fun concept, no doubt about that. Pretty similar to the Privacy Shell, if you think about it. But would you really want to have something constructed from acoustic foam shielding you from the outside world?

It doesn’t completely cut you off, though, because it comes with some online service that will display notifications from your email or social networking accounts on the inside.

[via Yanko Design]

There is, however, something else you can turn to: Privacy Shells.

Thought up by Veasyble, they start out as accessories like handbags, a hat, or a head wrap. When you feel like isolating yourself from the world, just reach out, unfold, and expand the accordion-like accessory you have with you and hide away.

Perhaps the one I find the most interesting is the handbag, which is huge enough to hide away two people inside the shell when unfolded. Sure, you might be able to get a few minutes of privacy with your special someone, but be prepared to be stared and ogled at when you emerge from your shell.

The Veasyble privacy shells are still a concept for now, but for sure you’ll be able to stand up and take notice if ever they’ll be released commercially because they aren’t exactly very subtle.

[via Toxel via Coolest Gadgets]

Apart from that crucial difference, what you have to keep in mind is that Glassboard is meant for communication, so don’t expect to find games here. Glassboard also lets you temporarily turn off notifications for the whole app – it calls this feature Quiet Hours – as well as turn off notifications per board. Here’s a demo of the app:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

As you may have realized by now, the great thing about Glassboard is that it’s fairly easy to manage and separate your contacts. No one has to know that you’re a member of other boards, or who the people in your other boards are. Also, I’m sure those of you who have Facebook accounts have at least one “friend” that you don’t really consider a friend, or even know personally. Then there are the ones that you do know but won’t stop posting lame or offensive things or keeps inviting you to play some game. With Glassboard, if you made the board you can easily evict someone out of it. That’s a lot more powerful than simply un-friending someone on Facebook. You can leave a board at anytime too.

Ready to start your own private social network? Glassboard is available as a free app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7 devices. Check out the official website and Vimeo page for more info.

[via Loop Insight]

If you didn’t know about this, then you should most definitely go and change your privacy settings. Anyone, from potential employers, coworkers, to your girlfriend’s dad can find out what you’ve been saying if you’re not careful enough.

Today also marked the day that Facebook introduced new and easy to use privacy settings. At least that’s what the press release said. But honestly, people should be more careful with what they post if they really are worried about people finding out their personal info.

[via This Isn't Happiness]

Judge Oscar Magi (awesome last name btw) laid down the rule of the law on Google’s Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer David Drummond, along with former CFO George Reyes, and Global Privacy Counsel Peter Fleischer. Although none of them were involved in the uploading or production of the controversial video, the prosecutors claimed that Google should have noticed it and taken it down sooner because it quickly became one of the most popular videos at the time.

Google will of course appeal the decision, stating that it is a threat to “the principles of freedom on which the Internet was built.” My only question is, does Google even have the technology or manpower necessary to really screen the tens of thousands of videos uploaded to YouTube daily? I mean, do we even have the means to censor the massive content on the Web if we wanted to?

[via The Observer via Chip Chick]