Personal data for the taking

Students prove that all it takes to obtain reams of personal data is Internet access, a few dollars and some spare time.
The New York Times

The story "Personal data for the taking" published May 18, 2005 at 7:13 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from The New York Times expires after 7 days.

[sanenazok]

It's a tradeoff

Everyone benefits when tidbits of information are posted. For example, if everyone kept secret things like personal campaign contributions the political system would be additionally strained. Also, we all benefit by having access to prices paid for homes by neighbors when it comes time to buying or selling a house. And next time I need an architect, I'm going to check his or her license. Also, I don't want to pay $3 for 411 service if I can find personal information like address and phone number on the web for free.

So if we're complaining that this data is on the internet, then the only solution is to put everything back on paper where nobody except for some busibodies will have access.

[sanenazok]

It's a tradeoff

Everyone benefits when tidbits of information are posted. For example, if everyone kept secret things like personal campaign contributions the political system would be additionally strained. Also, we all benefit by having access to prices paid for homes by neighbors when it comes time to buying or selling a house. And next time I need an architect, I'm going to check his or her license. Also, I don't want to pay $3 for 411 service if I can find personal information like address and phone number on the web for free.

So if we're complaining that this data is on the internet, then the only solution is to put everything back on paper where nobody except for some busibodies will have access.

personal data discussion blog

I started a discussion about the issue of privacy and the NYT article at:

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://yourpinews.blogspot.com/2005/05/personal-data-for-taking-societies.html" target="_newWindow">http://yourpinews.blogspot.com/2005/05/personal-data-for-taking-societies.html</a>

personal data discussion blog

I started a discussion about the issue of privacy and the NYT article at:

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://yourpinews.blogspot.com/2005/05/personal-data-for-taking-societies.html" target="_newWindow">http://yourpinews.blogspot.com/2005/05/personal-data-for-taking-societies.html</a>