Databases and Privacy

A couple of stories made an interesting juxtaposition today. First read this story about information marketers scouring public records to compile personal information. Note the emphasis on cross-linking data from various sources to provide more information than any one source did - databases are synergistic. Now read this column about David Nelson, and its follow-up.

Comments

oh no!

[edrugtrader]

someone has probably already cross referenced my slashdot record with my driving record and found that i like to drive with the images turned off!

this is a dumb story... of course the data is out there... of course you can scour multiple sources and build a more complete picture... its still the same data.

typo

[Anonymous Coward]

I think you meant Ogg Blah

Liberty and Security

[Poeir]

From the article, "They [David Nelsons] realize there are trade-offs between liberty and security."

That trade-off would be, "We, the Government, take your liberty, and give ourselves security."

Re:I don't understand why /. opposes this

[bj8rn]

Techniques like this allow us to more effectively advertise products to you that you actually WANT. You don't want penis cream, you won't see it.

But I do want the miracle-product that makes me look and feel 20 years younger! (I'm 19 and a half...)

I just called...

[Barkmullz]

But he does say that people who want to see if their name is on either list or who want to make a complaint, can call the agency's contact center at 866-289-9673 or send an e-mail to TellTSA@tsa.dot.gov.

- "Hi, my name is Rob Malda, am I on the list?"

- "You are now." [click]

Constitution?

[Anonymous Coward]

Constitution?? Didn't that burn up a couple of years ago. Seems I heard something about a fire at the National Archive......

AC Cause I don't wanna make the list.

Re:Some comfort

[Samrobb]

Any Person should have, the Right to request a copy of any and all information a company, or government agency stores about them.

Thank you, Corporal Carrot.