Security → Data brokers digging up & selling your digital dirt

NetworkWorld | 10/12/10

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The default decision for digging up digital dirt on a person seems to be that if it's online, then it's fair game. Did you know, however, that some companies which scrape and sell your personal data, will disregard any ethical concerns and use automated software to log into private message boards and scrape your info? There are many personal and private subjects that people online may share with likeminded users, such as physical or mental health topics.

The website PatientsLikeMe.com discovered media-research Nielsen Co. was scraping all messages off the private online forum, messages that were "supposed to be viewable only by members who have agreed not to scrape, and not by intruders such as Nielsen." Forums on PatientsLikeMe include topics such as "AIDS, supranuclear palsy, depression, organ transplants, post-traumatic stress disorder and self-mutilation."

Many people might think that health data from password-protected private forums would not be included in sold behavior and personal information, but a Nielsen spokesman confirmed the company's reports include information gleaned from the Internet, "so if someone decides to share personally identifiable information, it could be included."

What it comes down to is that if you post online, your data can be sold or used to find connections to people and events.

To data brokers who dig up and sell digital dirt or personal information, I'm curious how ethical you would find it to conduct that search in real and not cyber life? Would you camp outside a person's home to record their comings and goings, friends, family and any other visitors? Would you snap pictures and use GPS mapping? Would you follow them so you could listen in on their conversations? Would you dig through their garbage to see what you can find out about them, their patterns, behaviors, finances or other personal preferences? Or would that seem unethical? Would you want someone to do it to you?

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»www.networkworld.com/com ··· ng-selli

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse online list of data brokers and scrapers: »www.privacyrights.org/on ··· ers-list

That wouldnt be such an issue IF PEOPLE WERENT STUPID AND USE THIER REAL NAME AND CRAP ONLINE!!

While not a data broker exactly, here's an example of data mining.

»www.huffingtonpost.com/2 ··· 581.html

What?
In certain cases one would need to use their real name online so your point is as you put it stupid, eg; checking my hydro, gas, phone etc online i had to use my real name online to register.

Simplicity is Dude111 's trademark™

I mean on social networking sites,etc......

Thanks, I think.

There's just nothing like finding out your life is somebody else's commodity, and you're being bought and sold without your knowledge or consent.

Correct resume.

Why do they do this to themselves and people.....Because they can.
Self regulation of "data collection online" needs urgent reform.

This article gives some understanding of the industry's nature if you are so inclined
»www.theage.com.au/techno ··· 4ee.html

More and more information is being placed online in what is supposed to be "secure" sites such as medical, insurance, doctor's office. Ignoring social networking sites where people "advertise" their private information...IMO some kind of regulatory law needs to be in place for mining these highly sensitive sites that a LOT of people would have no idea their information is contained in them. I just found out that with a simple password, I can get into the medical site for my doctor's office and find out all my medical information, all this without my permission was placed "conveniently" online.

One of my doctors has gone totally digital - he pulls up my chart on the monitor in the examining room and all information is entered directly into it. I always wonder what their security protocols are.

It does make you wonder doesn't it? At some point, all the data he is entering will be uploaded to the RFID chip he secretly implanted during the procto exam. Then, when you stroll into the pharmaceutical section of Walmart their RFID scanner will instantly recognize you and an announcement will come right over the PA:

"Good morning Mr. Phelps, how are those hemorrhoids today? Preparation H is on sale today in aisle 3!"

Yup, it's only a matter of time...

There's just nothing like finding out your life is somebody else's commodity, and you're being bought and sold without your knowledge or consent.

You can do absolutely nothing and your name date of birth and phone number is on someones PC connected to the interwebz.