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Anonymity of Netflix Prize Dataset Broken
KentuckyFC writes "The anonymity of the Netflix Prize dataset has been broken by a pair of computer scientists from the University of Texas, according to a report from the physics arXivblog. It turns out that an individual's set of ratings and the dates on which they were made are pretty unique, particularly if the ratings involve films outside the most popular 100 movies. So it's straightforward to find a match by comparing the anonymized data against publicly available ratings on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) (abstract on the physics arxiv). The researchers used this method to find how individuals on the IMDb privately rated films on Netflix, in the process possibly working out their political affiliation, sexual preferences and a number of other personal details"
DIE ALREADY
At least the plot isn't as bad as slashdot written fiction.
... for preferring to post occasionally to /. as "anonymous coward" rather than create yet another usr/pwd combo i have to remember to post occasionally on some technocratic newz digest that i generally skim for the Buzz but not actual factual information, given the frequent "no i didn't read the article but here's my e-pinion anyway", "here's a link to someone's blog who talked about someone else talking about an article posted somewhere else that no one actually read" & "here's a story we referenced a month ago but is being referenced again, either by advanced BFS (Brain Fart Syndrome) or because someone needs AdSense moola" posts...
Now go blend something and stay off my anonymous lawn!