It was only a matter of time before social networking giant Facebook came out with an answer to foursquare, the most popular – up until now – way for you to share with contacts and friends where you were, and places you liked. Tonight, Facebook launched their Places feature. There are some out there that may be excited, but count me as one that is not.

Strange, right? I have been a long time foursquare user, have mayorships, and enjoy the game aspect of the app. But frankly, I am scared by Facebook's new feature. I have long felt that Facebook posed a significant risk of over-sharing – not to mention privacy issues as they sell my information, but Places brings this to a whole new level.

Much like with photos on Facebook, not only can you tag yourself at a location, but you can also tag your friends – WITHOUT THEM CONSENTING. Let me repeat that. Places allows someone to check you into a location with out asking you if you want to be checked in there. Sure, they can do that with photos, but someone has to take your photo first. Sure, you can remove the tag, but most times, the damage could already be done.

My recommendation? Block Places from letting your friends check you in. I know I am heading there right now. Then my next stop is blocking Places from my feed. Why? Because just like Farmville, I don't care where you are right now.

I know why Facebook is doing this, they have quite a few reasons. 1. They are making sure that their moat and walls are all in good order as other social networking applications take root. They want to make sure that, with many users being attracted to features, they have the features. 2. Advertising. Ever notice how your ads have become more and more tailored to you on Facebook? (It happens elsewhere on the web too.) Its because they are using your data to determine what you may be interested in, or at least what demographic you fall in. Facebook was already making me feel used and dirty, and that is before we add Places into the equation. Now with location-based services, expect to see even more hyper-focused targeted advertising as you roam Facebook, and if they allow third party access to this info, don't be surprised if it follows you to the internet at large.

I like sharing. I like knowing which places are popular, where may be a cool place to try, and sharing my journey with friends, but I want to do it on my terms. I want to control what and when I share. Please Facebook, stop letting my friends open my life up. That's my job.