So, here is a thought:
What will YOU do when your search engine keywords are on the street?
I bet you’ll go frenzy. Berserk. Like the incredible Hulk. Yeah I know, it’s horrifying! But I do know that you already exposed to companies who pay big bucks for, maybe a part of, your search engine keywords.
When reading the book “Wie is U?” (it’s Dutch, so I’ll translate it for you: “Who are You?”) I ran into this, well, movie. Documentary. I don’t know how to call it because of it’s style, but they call it a documentary. So I’ll stick to it. This documentary is called “I love Alaska”. It is a very interesting (excuse me for being impolite, I would never wish this to happen to anyone I know and even whom I don’t know!). But still, I think it is very interesting. Because of a black hole in the mind of an AOL coworker, a list which contained the search engine queries from 65.000 people, was public for several days! Still, the people were identified with a generic number, but still, some smart ass people could trace names, addresses and other personal information! Can you imagine how this affects peoples minds? If you want to read more, check the Wiki.
Why do we still trust companies such as Google? I know for one thing that Google is managing a lot of personal information. Information about me, about you, about your cat, parrot, your interests in cars, good looking girls/women. It’s all there somewhere. What if their search engine queries are exposed? When logged in with your Gmail account, you are logged in at all the Google applications. Did you know that you can see your Web history (earlier Google search queries etc)? Everything you do, Google knows! And why wouldn’t they sell your data? Your information about the love of your cat, the interest in good looking girls? Or women. Now, you say, that won’t happen! Well… really? Are you sure? I know I am not sure. In my eyes, why should Google sell your data? If they can come up with more and better services? For you?
I know the story of AOL is an “old” story (2006), but it will help me with my study to digital identity. How can we preserve all our identity blocks without being scared that someday it could be exposed to millions and millions of people? I really want to say to the world: get your privacy issues set on all your social media you are active on! I know I would consider my privacy and my rights to have my own life, not dictated by companies who wants to sell a parrot, or a cat, or set me up with a car I don’t actually want.
But move to Alaska? Meh, The Netherlands is cold enough.