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Privacy Flaws In Chatroulette Expose Users

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the users-exposed-themselves-just-fine dept.

itwbennett writes "In a paper posted online this week, researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder and McGill University outline three different types of attacks that could be launched against Chatroulette users. While the new research doesn't expose any gaping privacy holes, it does show how the service could be misused by determined criminals. For example, the researchers were able to use IP-mapping services to get a general idea of users' location (a public Web site, called Chatroulettemap.com already does this). Then by searching Facebook using information obtained in chats and comparing pictures, researchers were able to identify chatters. 'Even in a city as big as Chicago, you can drill down and find the person you're actually talking to,' said Richard Han, an associate professor with the University of Colorado who co-authored the paper."

8 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. No No No No No by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Funny

    Privacy Flaws In Chatroulette Expose Users

    Trust me, on Chatroulette it's the users that have been exposing themselves.

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    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:No No No No No by jmerlin · · Score: 5, Funny

      This brings a whole new meaning to the word "gaping privacy holes."

    2. Re:No No No No No by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I was visiting a friend of mine in San Fran a few months ago. He got a new Apple laptop, so he was showing it to me. We tried out Chatroulette briefly, and the third session ended up being a close-up of some guy touching his penis. The first thing my friend wrote was "Jim, is that you? It's Freddy."

      My friend recognized the other guy by his penis. Turns out they knew each other from a gym they both went to, where they'd seen other naked in the showers. They both thought it was a really funny coincidence to meet on Chatroulette like that.

    3. Re:No No No No No by PitaBred · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Even if they're gay which would give you an excuse for recognizing another man's penis, that's disturbing in many ways.

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      My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
  2. Won't work all the time... by Bryansix · · Score: 5, Funny

    For one simple reason. Facebook does not let you set your profile picture to a shot of your genitals.

  3. Question about chatroulette by Pojut · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Has anyone ever used it and engaged in an interesting conversation with a person who became a regular point of contact? Or is it all just penises and overweight bald guys?

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    Living With a Nerd
    1. Re:Question about chatroulette by nozzo · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yeah I did but all he wanted to talk about was penises and overweight bald guys so I stopped it.

  4. Um, OK. by pushing-robot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next article: Privacy flaws In Public Streaking Expose Users

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    How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?