h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What does privacy mean? Is it a right or is it a priviledge? I remember having this debate at uni. It was topical given that the events of September 11 were still fresh in our minds.

As some of you know, I like my privacy. Both online, and in RL. It's just the way I am - its not that I'm paranoid, but just that I don't like the idea of people who I don't know knowing things about me. As for in RL, I've just gotten to be this way just because.

The reason I'm talking about privacy is because of the recent idiocy by AOL. They recently published the search results from the period of March to June earlier this year, along with user ID numbers. This being a big violation of privacy.

I find it highly ironic given that Google was recently involved in a big court case against the US government to ensure that such data was not given to the government. Yet here are AOL handing out this data to the public noless.

Privacy is what makes us feel safe. Aol have crossed the line by releasing that data, and I cannot believe that some stupid official thought it was a great idea to do so.

Yup, see this; they admit "it was a screw up" but it's a bit late now really isn't it?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5255732.stm

zdt

The data has been copied and its now available online.

I've been looking at the type of data been released and its unbelievable what has been released. Aol are so going down for this.

It's riddiculous. Why did they think they needed to release it in the first place? You notice it doesn't say they didn't want to release it, the guy says they should have vetted it before releasing it, implying they were going to anyway.

Yup

I can't believe their sheer stupidity.

Because of this, people are more likely to avoid them knowing their privacy won't be respected and customers that are already with them might decide to go elsewhere. They've really messed it up for themselves.

I personally think privacy is quite hard to get.

Well, thank goodness I never use AOL.

I used too.

Sadly, not even this incident will bring them down. Many people simply don't care, or are too apathetic to do anything about it.

its not that hard i have moved out of my parents home so its ok 4 me

My school is filled with apathy

ah

Yeah,- I've heard about that.
when-ever... I mean,- I'm just a "regular civilian" and not like I'm doing any criminal activity or anything (because I'm not (:flustered), but I like to have a degree of secrecy over a bit of privacy any day. If you have to have one or the other... well,- whichever is easier for whomever I guess. It's why I like to write with a pen-name (or two).

Then my mom just >had< to go and tell relatives and people,- about my blogging. Sort of makes the matter trickier,- for satire 'work',- but, be that as it may...

I know,- that really probably wasn't in the direction in which this thread had been meant.
for the odd-tangent.
*Is a little . Me. I am.*
*shrug*
,...

the emoticons on deviant art, are a little different.
Like to use : s in between things instead of brackets.
.
Lol. Oops.

I'm used to other people trying to nose about in most of my moves & things. As- an American Teenager.
.
A male one, at that.
.

It mayn't be "fully legal" for other people to read one another's mail,- but when you live in a house,- with parents, and one or more sibling(s),- sometimes that kinda stuff happens anyway. Bit of a headache, I know. Most gov'ts are based somewhere along the means of a "family-model" at some point or other.
Maybe that would explain part of it.
Framing it around into sulking adolescents, who want more privelages,- (to stay up later, etc.) & sometimes strict parents (no, you may not date,- no,- you may not dye your hair a funny color,- go to your room,- do some laundry,- and also,- cheer up why don't you, hmm?)... boy [as in, oh boy].
Surprised more political cartoonists haven't hit upon that one.
*Shrug*

Hmm...
*Thinking a bit more*
Think I'll let that one stew for awhile.
Nvm.
Bye!
*exits*

Ea-uaggh...
*hopes no one suffers any-sort-of an indigestion - because of that.*
/Oops.

Herb and Herb have never had indigestion .

OHh...
<-
Now,- that_ however...