more on AOL Case and the EU Data Directive?

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Peter Capek <capek () ieee org>
Date: August 9, 2006 1:37:57 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Cc: b.malin () vanderbilt edu
Subject: Re: [IP] AOL Case and the EU Data Directive?

Brad Malin wrote:

>  I'm wondering if AOL's published data concerns only US citizens?

This morning's NY Times (front page!) article about one particular  
victim who agreed
to be written about refers to the searches of "657,000 Americans".    
I believe the
research.aol.com web site, now seemingly inaccessible, said the data  
was collected
from AOL's US user population.   The accompanying README file is  
silent on the
question, but the paper ("A Picture of Search") which summarizes the  
data suggests also
that it's a US population, showing a map of the US with a few queries  
to indicate their
local nature.

The README document emphasizes the "real world" nature of this data,  
and includes
this gem:

    "Also be aware that in some states it may be illegal to expose a  
minor to this data."

George Carlin, this data is ready for you.

                Peter Capek

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