America Now has mentioned before that Twitter will send every tweet to the National Archives and the Library of Congress. Now, the access to those past Tweets is just a few clicks away.
New tools are popping up and they can unleash a treasure trove of data in moments. For the 140 million and growing user base who tweet over 400 million tweets per day, this might be a little more than alarming.
Cyber Expert Theresa Payton shares some insight for those who are active "Tweeters."
When tools are new, people love to experiment with all the features available. Although Twitter was launched in 2006, it really started gaining steam in 2008 and has quickly become one of the top 10 websites around the globe.
"In the early days, people were Tweeting, uploading pictures with geocodes, doing location check-ins. Many felt like they were just sharing all this information with a small group of people. But these Tweets leave behind clues that tell bad guys, potential employers, people you might date, and people you might want to forget a lot about you," Theresa explains.
What you may not realize is all Twitter accounts are searchable. To test it on yourself and loved ones, try a tool like Topsy.
You can search for links that have been posted using Backtweets.
If you want to look for local "Tweeps" that leave their location information turned on, check out Nearby Tweets.
If you want to see what Tweets are the most popular, try searching on Tweetmeme.
Anyone that wants to track Tweets by a specific location, including one on a Google Map, try Areaface.
Tips to Stay Safe:
1. Tweet about a location AFTER you leave.
2. Think about the Tweets you send: Do they show a pattern of behavior that puts you in the best light for those that don't know you? Do they provide patterns that you would not want a bad guy to see?
3. If you post photos, make sure geocodes are turned off. Unless you like someone tracking your digital tracks!
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