Foursquare, Brightkite and a smaller social network, TriOut, have published their reactions to PleaseRobMe.com, a tongue-in-cheek website with a jagged edge.

Trevor Hawthorn, founder and managing principal at Stratum Security, has warned that a free iTunes location-based game called Underworld: SweetDeal could expose players to physical as well as digital security risks.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) in the US has taken the lead for privacy groups in filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about Facebook's latest privacy settings.

It's the time of year when the experts make their predictions about what to expect in the year ahead. Christopher Backeberg looks at some of the developments the pundits have suggested we watch for in 2010...

The market for mobile augmented reality (AR) services is expected to reach $732 million by 2014, according to a new report from Juniper Research. AR revenues will come from a combination of paid-for app downloads, subscription-based services and advertising.

Location-based social networks (LBSN) have become an integral part of life for many millions - and they have the potential to draw in billions as the industry giants make ready to enter the market, writes Christopher Backeberg...

I think the survey question is too soft ... it only asks if people want ads to be tailored to their interests.

I think a more telling question would be: Do you want ads tailored to your interests as the agencies have determined by watching your Internet behaviour and watching your purchases in stores?

I bet if they put it that way, the 'NOs' would go from 66% to nearly 100%. Generally though, I am supportive of the result: people object to these methods once you explain to them what is happening.

"Privacy advocates are rightly concerned.... It is the fact that people’s locations are being recorded “pervasively, silently, and cheaply that we’re worried about,” the Electronic Frontier Foundation said in a recent report."

Experts have identified numerous business models that could work for different segments of the mobile industry. However, too many people still find ways to get it wrong, writes Christopher Backeberg...

Several events have pulled mobile phone security into the spotlight during the last week. Christopher Backeberg looks at some of the factors that help to make mobile phones a generally secure medium of communication, and what you should do to make them even more secure...