America Online recently released the search queries of more than 650,000 of its users for ?research? purposes. The data contained three months’ worth of searches that were attached to unique user IDs. No names were included with the release, but private information was easily gleaned from some of the queries. Although AOL has since removed the information and apologized for its release, calling it a ?screw up,? copies continue to circulate around the Internet.

C|Net:

Based on the number of local searches, AOL user 1515830 appears to be a resident of Ohio’s Mahoning County. On March 1, user 1515830 was trying to find the amount of calories in chai tea and bananas. But on March 9, the searches took a darker turn: chai tea calories calories in bananas aftermath of incest how to tell your family you’re a victim of incest pottery barn curtains surgical help for depression oakland raiders comforter set can you adopt after a suicide attempt who is not allowed to adopt i hate men medication to enhance female desire jobs in denver colorado teaching positions in denver colorado how long will the swelling last after my tummy tuck divorce laws in ohio free remote keyloggers baked macaroni and cheese with sour cream how to deal with anger teaching jobs with the denver school system marriage counseling tips anti psychotic drugs

Link

 WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...

This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.

At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.

Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.

Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.

Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.

Donate now.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG
In this Article:
#america#aol#data privacy#internet#privacy#private#release