more on Search queries *can* contain personal information

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com>
Date: January 20, 2006 4:21:04 PM EST
To: dave () farber net
Cc: lauren () vortex com
Subject: Search queries *can* contain personal information


> So how long before peronal info is requested djf

Dave,

Search engine queries alone -- even if stripped of IP address or
other source data, frequently contain personal information.  Names.
Addresses.  Phone numbers.  Queries probing the purported
association of persons with other entities or activities.  The list
goes on and on.

Sampling just a few of these out of a large query database is perhaps
unlikely to do much harm.  But a mass delivery of search queries --
like the week's worth that the government is demanding from Google,
is another matter entirely and should be vigorously resisted.

I applaud Google's stance in this case.  However, it must be noted
that the underlying problem relates directly to the retention of
such data in the first place by such services whether voluntarily or
perhaps in the future under government orders.

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren () vortex com or lauren () pfir org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
   - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, IOIC
   - International Open Internet Coalition - http://www.ioic.net
Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
DayThink: http://daythink.vortex.com




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