Brightkite Updates Pose A Problem On Twitter

May 15 2008 Comments

brightkite_logo The location based mobile social network Brightkite, may be facing a bit of a backlash with Twitter users. While the service is nicely gaining ground with Twitter users, there are some that are more than irritated with one of Brightkite’s most popular features: sending location updates to Twitter.

Recently, prolific Twitter user and one of my mentors, Wayne Sutton, posed an interesting question about some user reactions to Brightkite:

waynesutton_tweet
http://twitter.com/waynesutton/statuses/810698074

   
Twitter Responses

While users responded that they don’t hate Brightkite, thoughts on the service ranged from privacy concerns to Brightkite not being a "real" mobile technology.

brightkiteresponses

brightkiteresponses2 

Privacy and Stalking

I whole heartedly agree with the responses. While Brightkite may be great for other reasons, tweeting your locations to your followers isn’t one of them. There are ways to mislead users and pretend to update from locations that you’re no where near. This is also a great tool for stalking people. However, to counter the latter, Brightkite does offer you the option of only allow "Trusted Friends" to see your exactly location update. Though even with this feature I’ve seen numerous tweets from both Wayne and others with their exact whereabouts.

More Noise

In addition, it’s all just more noise because location tweets really don’t serve a purpose on Twitter unless you’re at a conference. You don’t need an exact address for that. Just tell whomever you’re meeting up with where you are. Better yet, text or call them and keep it private. If I can’t meet you based on where you are, why would I care to know that type of information?

Not So Bright Idea?

Lightbulb This have have seemed like a good idea when Brightkite first premiered, however users of the service might want to take a second look at the feature that tweets locations. It could pose some really dangerous privacy concerns and its better than Facebook for stalking people. Apparently it’s not about the url tweets Wayne, there are way more important issues behind the irritation.


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  • This isn't about that (at least for me). I don't have a problem with the updates because I don't follow many people that use the service to tweet their location.
  • Twitter should have a feature like Flickr where "machine" tags are hidden by default. In other words, allow others to have the option to show or hide automatic twitter posts such as those from bkite, twitpic, and so on.
  • I'm really going off the BrightKite idea. I looks nice and works well...but why? I can give location info through Twitter and be as specific as I want. Fair enough there is no link to a map...but is that really necessary. It's just additional noise right now.

    I'm sure they will make the service more useful in the future as features are added, but for now, I'm out.
  • It is, at present, less useful than Jaiku in many ways (Jaiky's S60 app makes location sensing automatic, something that Brightkite will do with its iPhone app).
  • Matt Shaulis
    My issue is not with privacy or the validity of the technology of Brightkite. My issue is that the service is tweeting far too much, and not adding any value to my twitter stream... if I cared what address people were at I would sign up for Brightkite. I know my angst is misguided towards Brightkite (after all, they are just offering a service and people do not have to opt-in to tying the two services together, right? They do so because they want to, Bkite just facilitates what people want) ... I really have issue with Twitter not offering me a filter. I don't WANT to un-follow people because of the occasional bkite tweet... I simply want to be able to block the bkite stuff and keep the rest. I want to have my cake and eat it too. :-D
  • Matt, I think you're looking at this only from the perspective of the way that you use Twitter when you say that it's "not adding any value to the Twitter stream". Location information is, for a lot of people, extremely valuable: if a friend is near me at lunch, it would be great to know that so I can call them up.

    In fact, when Twttr (as it was when launched) was SMS-only to facilitate exactly this kind of use: it was a mobile-oriented service, not a publishing platform. Following 10,000 people wasn't an option, unless you wanted your phone constantly buzzing :)
  • Matt Shaulis
    Ian, I promise you I AM looking at it only from the perspective of the way I use Twitter... lol. So you are right there.

    As per Twittr, the SMS based mobile location broadcaster... now they are Twitter, a multi faceted micro-blogging service that has enjoyed much more rabid growth than the SMS only solution they once were. They realized that the service they set out with was not satisfactory and would not grow so they adjusted their core, and grew as a result.

    Like I said in my comments, if I want that "value" of the locations and all that, then I would gleefully sign up for Brighkite. Also, I tried to be clear in stating that it does not add "value to MY Twitter stream" ... not to "the Twitter stream" in general. Which is why I'm more interested in a filter than in seeing Brightkite go away or stop tweeting. I know a good number of folks like Brightkite (and like the integration with Twitter, to boot) and I don't think it would be fair to wish bad things on a service they like just because it might have an annoying impact on my little world. ;)
  • Agreed that better filtering would be great... and I suspect that's why people will move off services like Twitter and towards services like FriendFeed, which integrate filtering and pull in other services.
  • Yes, I totally agree — filters are very helpful — have you tried filtering with Twhirl?
  • Twhirl doesn't have filters for Brightkite.
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