Logic Lost In Google Flu Flap

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com>
Date: November 17, 2008 7:02:55 PM EST
To: dave () farber net
Cc: lauren () vortex com
Subject: Logic Lost In Google Flu Flap



                       Logic Lost In Google Flu Flap

               http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000472.html


Greetings.  Last December, in "For Google and Others, Few Good Deeds
Go Unpunished" ( http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000334.html ),
I noted how for companies like Google, it seems impossible to avoid
ideologically-based criticisms even when performing obvious and
valuable public services.

Another example of this sad dilemma has unfortunately burst onto the
stage.

Google recently announced their "Google Flu Trends" service
( http://www.google.org/flutrends ) -- designed to help pinpoint
potential flu outbreaks through analysis of search query data, and
perhaps able to help focus on influenza problem spots well in
advance of other leading metrics such as emergency room visits.

Does this analysis of user-provided query data necessarily represent
the same kind of quality experimental data corpus as controlled
experiments and statistically rigorous surveys?  Probably not -- but
the Google Flu Trends data, as I understand it, is not meant to
replace those other forms of information.  Rather, it is aimed at
helping to provide a very early look at developing trends, to be
accepted -- or not -- as observers feel appropriate.

When I heard about this project, it took me all of a few seconds to
realize that it was a brilliant and potentially very valuable use of
already existing data -- something that would likely be impossible
without the benefit of Google's scale and analytical resources.  How
could anybody object to the use of aggregated Google data in direct
support of such important public health goals?

So I was disappointed (but not really surprised) to learn today that
some privacy advocates -- seemingly allowing ideology to overcome
both logic and common sense -- are indeed complaining about
Google Flu Trends ( http://tinyurl.com/nytimes-google-flu-trends ).

It's true that there are areas where I'd like to see additional
privacy-related actions by Google, but as I've said before, I
believe that Google is already on a positive trajectory in this
regard, and that they deserve credit for privacy enhancements
already taken and in the process of deployment.

What Google doesn't deserve are knee-jerk negative reactions to
services that are of clear -- one might even say overwhelmingly
obvious -- potential benefit to society at large, without
detrimental effects on privacy of any significance whatsoever.
Arguing about the applicability of the reported data is one thing,
but screaming "privacy violation" inappropriately is something else
altogether.

I am increasingly disheartened by the ideologically skewed
statements I see from many in the privacy community, which ever more
frequently seem to fly in the face of realistic and balanced
analysis of associated issues.

Such individuals and groups are free to proceed as they see fit of
course, but I will not rubber stamp their pronouncements when I
believe them to be wrong, and if that means I'm frequently standing
alone so be it -- I have a pretty thick skin.

Still, it is unfortunate for us all when purveyors of the "Google as
designated enemy" philosophy allow this view to supersede
acknowledging when Google does things right.

We all deserve credit when credit is due.  That holds true for me,
for you, and yes, for Google Trends regarding the Flu.

--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, NNSquad
  - Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com




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