This is just a heads up for you models out there who give out a personal cell phone number. This almost feels like it should be in the models-only forum, but I obviously can't post there.
Today I discovered the real name of a model friend of mine. On accident. I had been given her phone number for texting purposes months ago and used it off and on. Obviously, it was stored in my phone.
Well, I added the Yelp! app today while watching football at a restaurant. When I installed it I was asked if I wanted to add my friends. Sure, why not. I don't know the specifics of how, but it pulled up all my friends who use the app, including the real name of my model friend. :shock: I wasn't actually sure it was the real name but it was clearly different from her model name and it was her picture. But then about an hour later I was using Facebook on my smart phone and I did a friend search on there and low and behold there she was again, under her real name. Facebook pulled her up just from the phone number associations in my contacts.
I'm guessing that apps, like this Yelp app, associate your phone number with your name and make it searchable. So if someone else has your phone number and installs the app they can add you as a friend simply by possession of your number. Maybe it's more complicated than that, but that's how it appears.
I don't think most of us are fully familiar yet with how smart phones and internet apps integrate and what level of privacy they give you (or don't give you) when you associate your number, email, or other things with them. You might think you are safely anonymous but chances are you are not. Also, if you have a Facebook page I would suggest NOT putting your cell phone number on it unless you want to be discovered - purposely or on accident - through a similar type association. And even installing an app like Yelp may somehow - again, I'm not sure of exactly how it happened - reveal your true name to anyone you give your phone number too.
The safest thing is to probably not give out a personal cell number at all that is associated with your name. Or to have a cell that is strictly work-only and not use that phone for other applications that you give your name too. Keep the phone "clean," in other words.
Stay safe out there. And spread the word to your model friends.
Today I discovered the real name of a model friend of mine. On accident. I had been given her phone number for texting purposes months ago and used it off and on. Obviously, it was stored in my phone.
Well, I added the Yelp! app today while watching football at a restaurant. When I installed it I was asked if I wanted to add my friends. Sure, why not. I don't know the specifics of how, but it pulled up all my friends who use the app, including the real name of my model friend. :shock: I wasn't actually sure it was the real name but it was clearly different from her model name and it was her picture. But then about an hour later I was using Facebook on my smart phone and I did a friend search on there and low and behold there she was again, under her real name. Facebook pulled her up just from the phone number associations in my contacts.
I'm guessing that apps, like this Yelp app, associate your phone number with your name and make it searchable. So if someone else has your phone number and installs the app they can add you as a friend simply by possession of your number. Maybe it's more complicated than that, but that's how it appears.
I don't think most of us are fully familiar yet with how smart phones and internet apps integrate and what level of privacy they give you (or don't give you) when you associate your number, email, or other things with them. You might think you are safely anonymous but chances are you are not. Also, if you have a Facebook page I would suggest NOT putting your cell phone number on it unless you want to be discovered - purposely or on accident - through a similar type association. And even installing an app like Yelp may somehow - again, I'm not sure of exactly how it happened - reveal your true name to anyone you give your phone number too.
The safest thing is to probably not give out a personal cell number at all that is associated with your name. Or to have a cell that is strictly work-only and not use that phone for other applications that you give your name too. Keep the phone "clean," in other words.
Stay safe out there. And spread the word to your model friends.
