Computers & Internet FB, Twitter, BF... they're reading our minds.

[kaysee]

Interesting article and video here highlighting how companies and governments are using social media to accurately know who we are... even if we choose not to publish private details.

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2012/04/how-the-internet-can-read-your-mind.html

How the internet can read your mind

Think you can hide your personal data by choosing not to reveal information online?

Even if you're a social media prude, advanced software algorithms can glean a surprising amount of detail about your life. For example, even though most people on Facebook choose not to reveal their physical addresses, it's possible to infer the general location of the majority of users based on the few who do. Similar software can figure out who is likely to be your friend and what kind of personality you might have.

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2012/04/how-the-internet-can-read-your-mind.html

 

[Illinois Nazi]

I don't use Facebook, but I have an account in a bodgy made-up name just so I can look at other Facebook pages when the need arises (eg musicians using Facebook to publish touring schedules etc). My profile has no friends, no details, no anything. But whenever I log in to it, the list of suggested "you might know these people" is 100% accurate, filled with people I know.

 

[Igloo]

 

[JuddsABlue]

In other news, smoking deemed bad for your health

You dont need a complex computer algorithm to know that someone with no location thats friends with 400 people from Essendon might be from Essendon

99% of these articles are for complete technophobes who dont understand anything about the internet or technology. If you were to break it down to something relatable, its like saying 'If you leave your keys in your car parked in a busy shopping mall carpark there is a chance YOUR CAR MIGHT BE STOLEN!' A suitable headline would be 'Why you cant trust your car security'

 

[kfc1]

paywall; dr

 

[Illinois Nazi]

paywall; dr

It wasn't actually that good. Pretty superficial.

 

[Hue_Jars]

Its called cookies. Cookies scan your computer to see what sites youve been visting, where you live, what things you do on the computer. Then it sends the info to facebook to litter your screen with junk and advertising.

Think you can turn it off somehow that no one wants to tell you.

Its freaking wrong.

 

[JuddsABlue]

Its called cookies. Cookies scan your computer to see what sites youve been visting, where you live, what things you do on the computer. Then it sends the info to facebook to litter your screen with junk and advertising.

Think you can turn it off somehow that no one wants to tell you.

Its freaking wrong.