Placebook provides a visual overview on how Facebook users are distributed around the world. But what really makes it interesting, is that you can create an overview of the locations of all your Facebook friends, by connecting your account to the system.

Recently, a lot is being said about the privacy issues involving the disclosure of your whereabouts through locationbased social networks such as Foursquare and Gowalla.

Things really got started when Please Rob Me launched its site where all Fourquare powered tweets are broadcasted, telling the world which homes are left abandoned and waiting to be robbed. Foursquare soon replied to the allegations, and I must say I have their back on this one.

First of all, Foursquare doesn’t rob people, people rob people. And second, I don’t really see how these new technologies are more efficient for malintented persons than the old school methods they are currently using: i.e. calling to see if you're home, reconnaissance trips, ringing the doorbell, etc… 

That being said, I do agree that you should be very conscious about what you share with the world. I for one haven’t created a spot for my home address, will never share the location of my kids (e.g. schools) and I am very reluctant to broadcast my whereabouts when I am away from home for a certain period of time.