A man demonstrates his ability to locate anyone using geolocation, serving as a lesson to be cautious about what we post online. While he aims to educate, it also raises awareness of the potential dangers associated with geolocation.
A Frightening Lesson for All
The internet can be a scary place—a lesson many of us learned since childhood but didn’t always follow. I remember my parents scolding me for posting a bikini photo on Myspace. However, nowadays, parents have more concerns than just strangers looking at young individuals online. They now have to fear people finding them and their children.
Jose Monkey demonstrates how he can locate anyone using geolocation.
On TikTok, a man known as Jose Monkey has shown parents, children, and all of us how he can locate anyone using simple coding and geolocation. In doing so, he manages to both scare and educate us about the potential dangers of the internet.
Jose is a clever man, fortunately using his skills for good. However, not everyone possessing such abilities would have the same intentions. Some might have more harmful intentions. While Jose’s goal is to teach people about internet safety, he also teaches them how to use geolocation in the process.
Jose’s Techniques for Locating People
If someone with malicious intentions knows how to code with frontend JavaScript, they would be able to utilize Jose’s methods, which he openly shares with everyone, to locate anyone. However, Jose’s slogan is that he “finds people who want to be found.” Anyone over 18 who tags Jose and requests to be found has the opportunity to be located. This means that if someone posts a random video in a random location, Jose will use his skills to determine where in the world that person is located.
People must request to be found by Jose Monkey
Usually, a person, whether it’s a parent or anyone else, will ask Jose to find them. They either want to test him or prove to someone they know that anyone can be found with minimal information. These individuals often record selfie videos in nondescript locations, challenging Jose to determine their location without any further details.
In one video, a mother asks Jose to find her. Using landmarks, stores, and shadows, he manages to locate her exact location in Winder, Georgia. He determines the direction she is facing and the direction of the roads behind her. He identifies a water tower, a small shed, a CVS, and a Wendy’s. With this information alone, Jose creates a map of what he believes to be her area.
He then incorporates the data into JavaScript code that utilizes the Google Maps database and identifies around ten locations that match the description. From there, he uses Google Maps Street View to further refine the woman’s whereabouts. It is a time-consuming process, but he proves that with the right set of skills and determination, anyone can be located based on their videos.
As of July 2023, he has found the location of over 100 different individuals. And as he gains popularity, more people are requesting Jose to find them, which means he has many more places to discover.
Why Are People Eager to Be Found? It could be a simple desire to challenge Jose. Or, as often stated in the comments, they want to educate and protect loved ones from unsafe internet practices. But there is likely also an aspect of the main character syndrome in wanting to be found.
We all know the energy of being the main character, and while it is often seen as negative, we should consider ourselves as the main characters in our own stories! However, we are not the center of the universe. But when Jose finds us, it gives us a sense of existing in this vast world. For a moment, we might feel like the center, even if we are not.
Conclusion
Although Jose is doing important work in raising awareness among people, especially the youth, about the amount of easily accessible information, he does not delve deeply into the coding behind it all. Therefore, unless someone with malicious intent has extensive coding knowledge, Jose’s skills are not easily transferable.
One of the best things Jose can do, aside from finding people who request to be found, is determining the filming locations of different movies and TV shows. So, there are other uses for Jose’s geolocation skills besides teaching us all an important, albeit slightly scary, lesson!
FAQs
How does Jose locate people on TikTok?
Jose primarily uses geolocation to locate people on TikTok. By analyzing visual cues in people’s videos, such as landmarks, stores, and shadows, he is able to determine their position. He then creates a map of the area he believes is the person’s location and utilizes JavaScript code that utilizes the Google Maps database to identify matching locations. Google Maps Street View is used to further refine the location.
Can anyone learn to locate people like Jose?
In theory, yes, but it requires specific skills. Jose’s method relies mainly on the ability to code with frontend JavaScript and have a good understanding of Google Maps features. However, it is important to note that Jose uses his skills for educational purposes, and it is unethical (and often illegal) to use such methods for malicious purposes.
Why do people ask to be found by Jose?
Motivations can vary. Some want to test Jose, while others want to prove to someone they know that anyone can be found with minimal information. Some do it to educate and protect loved ones from unsafe internet practices. Sometimes, it’s simply a personal challenge or a desire for attention.
What are the potential dangers of geolocation?
Geolocation can pose several security risks. If someone with malicious intent knows how to use geolocation, they could potentially locate anyone based on publicly available information, posing risks to personal security. Additionally, it can lead to privacy violations as someone may be tracked or monitored without consent. It is essential to exercise caution when sharing information that can be used for geolocation.
