A couple troublemakers can cause a lot of trouble on a site like Wikipedia, but the 'Wikipedia Recent Changes Map' aims to remedy that. Though Wikipedia doesn't track the location of its registered users, unregistered editors have their IP address recorded at the time of edit. Since IP addresses can be traced to a geolocation, you can theoretically create a live map of unregistered editors. Stephen LaPorte and Mahmoud Hashemi have done exactly that with their recent changes map.
In real-time, you can watch as unregistered users from around the world make edits. Translucent-colored dots pop up as each edit is submitted. Hovering over a dot reveals the name of the article being altered at that location. Alternatively, a scrolling list of changes is populated below the map if you prefer a text-based view.
Live Internet Vandalist Trackers
The 'Wikipedia Recent Changes Map' Tracks Unregistered Editors
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Vandalism - Online platforms can create more sophisticated tools like the 'Wikipedia Recent Changes Map' to track anonymous user activity and mitigate vandalism.
2. Real-time Geotargeting - Unregistered user geolocation data can be used to create real-time maps that track user activity for targeted marketing or security purposes.
3. Automated Social Compliance Monitoring - Machine learning algorithms could be used to monitor social media platforms and flag potential instances of vandalism, hate speech or other unwanted content before it becomes a problem.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - Social media platforms can use real-time tracking tools to monitor user activity and mitigate online vandalism.
2. Civic Technology - Government agencies and civic organizations can use live maps to track real-time user activity and identify potential threats to public safety or online information.
3. Internet Security - Internet security companies can leverage the data collected by live maps to detect malicious activities online and develop more sophisticated protection mechanisms.