Microsoft Tracking Behavior of Newsgroup Posters

theodp writes "Ever get the feeling your Usenet newsgroup list is being watched? By Microsoft? If so, consider yourself right. An interesting but troubling CNET interview with Microsoft's in-house sociologist goes into how the software giant is keeping a close eye on newsgroups and other public e-mail lists, tracking and rating contributors' social habits and determining "people who the system has shown to have value." Those concerned that it's not a good idea for computers to track their belongings and whereabouts are advised that they may ultimately have to fragment their identities, keeping multiple IDs and e-mail addresses."

Comments

On the Internet ...

[burgburgburg]

Microsoft knows you're a dog.

Woof.

Paranoia

[heironymouscoward]

Is a suitable state of mind when large and powerful groups decide they want to spy on you.

I'm sure MS already spies on Slashdot and tracks every profile here. I have four, and switch between them carefully, unt sometimez I speek in forin lanjuajes just to confooze them.

On the other hand, this reminds me strangely of a scene from Dilbert.

Serf1: Boss, I need to monitor newsnet.
PHB: why?
Serf1: So we can track our competitors, manipulate public opinion, and run smear campaigns against political opponents.
PHB: sounds fine...
Serf1: It will take nine months, that's ok?
PHB: yes, get someone to help you if you need it.

later..

Serf2: So, did you get it?
Serf1: Yes, we're now official newsnet spies.
Serf2: porn on, dude!!! alt.binaries, here I come.
Serf1: I've asked for some new hard drives too... :)

SCO IP Infringer List

[McBride, Darl]

Here at SCO, we've been doing something similar to this for months. We've been tracking user comments on slashdot to compile an extensive list of Linux zealots to go after once our lawsuit against IBM is successful.

Bide your time well, Linux zealots, for the mighty power of SCO's IP will reign down upon thee!

No problem

[smatt-man]

I figure we have nothing to worry about. If Microsoft wrote the tracking software, then it probably doesn't work anyway.

Pay attention kids....

[NightSpots]

Now that they've confirmed that they do this, there's only one thing to remember:

Before you fly up to Redmond for your interview, make sure you post a year's worth of insightful commentary on major relevant newsgroups, with your name and email attached

Re:What's wrong with this?

[crazyphilman]

It's not just Microsoft. There are companies called "clipping services" which have been around for decades. They employ warehouses full of people, reading newspapers from all around the country, clipping out articles that relate to a client or set of clients. The client would get a notice mailed to him/her including the clipping and some time/date/source info. Just about every newspaper in the country is monitored.

Over the years, the clipping services expanded out, adding AP feeds, Newswire, etc. They suck articles right off the wire and store them for their customer's perusal. Then they added newsgroup and chatroom monitoring, and of course web monitoring. They use web spiders to capture the info, and databases to store it.

This is very widespread, and it's been going on for years. Do a google search on "clipping services" if you don't believe me. Anything you write online about a company who can afford the service is noticed, printed out, and sent to them by a flunky.

Why worry? It's not like you can do anything about it. So Microsoft knows that I think they suck. Big deal. Hey, Gates! You suck! See? No hitmen busting down my door, no guidos breaking my leggaggdafsafal;nfdasl'(MESSAGE TERMINATED)

Re:Huh?

[OneIsNotPrime]

Yes, who among us doesn't already keep multiple Slashdot accounts to mod ourselves up as "Insightful" every once in a while?

Err... never mind.

Well I think I deserve it.