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We're being watched!!

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The data miners know no bounds

Much effort is expended finding new ways to gather data on people. A company called Umbria uses software to analyse millions of blog and forum posts every day, using sentence structure, word choice and quirks in punctuation to determine the blogger's gender, age interests and opinion. That knowledge can be a valuable tool to people launching new products, or politicians seeking votes.


From an original New Scientist article
What the data miners are digging up about you - tech - 28 November 2008 - New Scientist
 
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Hey, you post something on the Internet, it's essentially available to anyone in the public to see. You don't want them checking out what you post online, then don't do it. Privacy can only go so far.
 

eric


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just a bigger finger to stick up in the air to test the direction of the wind...
 
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Big brother is watching.
 
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Well yes of course. Do a Google of xj6jaguar1985 for example lol!

Whatever we post anywhere leaves a footprint!
 
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Eh, I'm not too worried. I mean, it's not like many people are too well known among internet circles, the ones the do become well known are that way for all the wrong reasons, mostly bad. Plus, I find this whole thing to be flawed. A good writer can mask mostly all of those attributes such as age, gender, etc. After all, we all are "internet personalities" and therefore can be whoever we want. Besides, the information on most forums are public, so anyone can view it, taking the proper precautions definitely helps.
 

eric


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i don't think this is all about finding detail, it seems to be based more in trends. sure part of the article was about watching an individual for specific signs and symtoms, but in reality the money is really in telling a potential advertiser where to focus their ad budget.
 
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Last night i watched 'Enemy of the State' a movie with Will Smith in were he has been bugged with all these chips in his clothing and being tracked down by criminals, It was an awesome movie and really made me think about people watching you when you least expect it, and people being able to track you down aka F.B.I etc... Really interesting stuff.
 
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This reminds me of a story this crazy paranoid guy was telling me while i was doing my laundry at the laundromat. He was a bit whacked out, I'm thinking he may have been a part of some kind of gov't research or experiment. Still, he got annoying after awhile, and he kept talking as I walked out the door w/ my laundry saying "Nice talkin' to ya!" On the flipside, he was friendly and non-threatening.
 
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I don't think typing types can define a person's age or gender. For the most part, I think I write pretty decently.


We're watched everywhere. All the credit/debit cards swiped? Yep. That too.
 
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Wow... I just searched me. I haven't been using this name long, and I had 3 pages. Never knew you could do that.
 
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Eh, I'm not too worried. I mean, it's not like many people are too well known among internet circles, the ones the do become well known are that way for all the wrong reasons, mostly bad. Plus, I find this whole thing to be flawed. A good writer can mask mostly all of those attributes such as age, gender, etc. After all, we all are "internet personalities" and therefore can be whoever we want. Besides, the information on most forums are public, so anyone can view it, taking the proper precautions definitely helps.

Sure, unless you posted in the "What gender are you" thread here at M-F ;P
 
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well I don't really care if people are taking down all this information about me cuz they are using collecting mass information and could never tell exactly who I am


Well if they really want to know im Male 18 years of age and as a Canadian I love Hockey and as someone who lived in the country as a child finding it hard to hang out with friends because of distance I am a huge gamer. Hope I could help in your search for w.e
 

CrimsonRequiem


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I think the bigger question is, when aren't they watching?
 
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You know if you have OnStar in your car they can listen in anytime.
 

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