Everything the Internet Knows About Me (Because I Asked It To) (opens in new tab)

(blogs.wsj.com)

86 pointsdannyv15y ago12 comments

12 comments

8 comments · 3 top-level

maeon315y ago· 4 in thread

This data about all of us, what we are doing, where we go, who we date, what cars we drive, etc is going to become publicly available eventually. There are going to be tons of companies who really want that data.

If we don't make a system where that data can be bought and sold based on the preferences of the person being data mined, then privacy will be blown out the window in just 30 years. There will be no reason to introduce yourself to people, all they have to do is access your logs.

EwanG15y ago

Of course in David Brin's novel Earth (published in 1990 believe it or not), he shows a world we seem to rapidly be approaching - where privacy and secrecy are considered to be somewhat evil. Looking at the growth of Facebook and other sites where stuff that 20 years ago no one would want you to know about them is now considered great material for your "Wall", I have to wonder if the solution to the privacy problem will turn out to be no one caring? If you look at it, a lot of the privacy issue comes down to asynchronous knowledge - i.e. what you know about me that I don't know about you. If we make sure we can know virtually everything about everyone, is privacy still a problem?

veb15y ago

Then again, does anybody really have any privacy these days, compared with 50 years ago?

All it takes is one person who knows what they're doing to find out a -LOT- about you.

1 more reply

jluxenberg15y ago

Unless you host-proof the data. I'm working on a host proof location-tracking application right now. The app records my location, encrypts it, and sends it to a webservice. The only unencrypted field is the timestamp.

Then, when I want to query the data, a client-side Javascript app can display it on a timeline on a map. You plug your encryption key into this client-side app.

It would also be cool to create a host-proof method for indexing the location itself, so I could ask the service for all of the logs within a certain radius of a location. Not sure how to do this securely yet, though.

JoachimSchipper15y ago

"Host-proof"? Where does the Javascript come from? (Yes, you can write a plugin, or make your user analyze the Javascript with Ethereal every time they log in.)

mickdj15y ago· 1 in thread

If you are interested in life tracking, you might want to try out one of our (Whereoscope, YC10) apps called DriveTime.

Passively monitors your location every 10 minutes, collates, and then lets you view graphs etc. from within the app. Information is not shared with anyone - it's designed purely for an individual user.

I realize this is a self-serving post, but thought it might be relevant. The app just got dropped to $0.99.

erreon15y ago

Any chance this will show up in the Android marketplace? Seems like it'd be pretty neat to see that kind of data.

adlep15y ago

It may come back to hunt the author down the road. I am not sure why anyone would expose themselves like that in public. Reminds me a story of lifelock service. CEO of lifelock exposed his SSN number to the public only to find it used for fraudulent activities.

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