Foursquare, Loopt reward users for checking into the TSA debate

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Location services are poking fun at the very touchy TSA security measures debate.

Loopt last week said it was celebrating National Opt-out Day by rewarding a free iPod Touch to 10 travelers who check in on Loopt and tweet the hashtag #touchedbyTSA when they get full body pat-downs.

Now Foursquare is getting cheeky by awarding a ‘baggage handler’ badgeto anyone who checks in at the airport with words like ‘TSA,’ ‘touch,’ ‘grope,’ or ‘don’t touch my junk.’

Thanks to Laughing Squid for the image of the badge, which, once unlocked, reads: ‘Looks like you’ve had your baggage handled. Happy holidays and have a safe flight!’

Air travelers have flocked to Twitter, YouTube and other social media to protest the controversial TSA security measures and share their experiences. A Virginia man, Brian Sodergren, is encouraging people through www.optoutday.com to refuse full body scans in favor of pat-downs on the day before Thanksgiving, typically one of the busiest travel days of the year.

RELATED:

Foursquare opens San Francisco office to poach engineers

Gowalla goes to Disneyland with location-tracking service

-- Jessica Guynn