Concerns Over Microsoft's Internet User Profiling

jcatcw writes "Microsoft research on Internet user profiling could lead to tools that help repressive regimes identify anonymous dissidents, the Reporters Without Borders advocacy group warned last Friday. Microsoft's new algorithms correctly guessed the gender of a Web surfer 80% of the time, and his or her age 60% of the time. "In China, it is conceivable that this type of technology would be used to spot Internet users who regularly access such 'subversive' content as news and information websites critical of the regime," the group said."

Comments

If I were head of an oppresive regime...

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd be uneasy about partnering with a bunch of totalitarian control freaks like Microsoft.

Re:If I were head of an oppresive regime...

[Anonymous Coward]

That said, I reckon I could guess the gender of a web surfer 80% of the time.

if (site.equals("slashdot.org")) male = true;
else if (site.equals("cutepuppydogs.com")) male = false;

oh noes!

[Anonymous Coward]

Unless you happen to be the only 20-25 year old male in China I think you're safe.

Here's my algorithm:

[erroneous]

If you read this post you are probably male. (80% correct)
You are probably in the 20-35 age group. (60% correct)

(I know I'll only get negative responses to this post of the type "I'm reading this and I'm a 47-year-old woman!" That's Ok. You're in the other bracket.)

My algorithm is as good as Microsoft's. Can I have a research grant please?

Re:Here's my algorithm:

[spellraiser]

You got me pegged. Curse you!

Can I have my privacy violation lawsuit settlement, please?

I know who it is!

[Phat_Tony]

Right, so they're about 50% sure that it's someone who's both male and aged 24-30, living in China. It should be easy to pick out the individual from there.