Data Mining , a threat to privacy?
In the article “Data Mining and the Death of Privacy” the author John C. Dvorak, mainly discusses Google Inc. and the disadvantages of data mining. The disasters that might be faced by the customers using the services of Google are discussed in this article.
The author says that Google has access to all the documents searched using its search engine. Google also has an access to all the messages sent by its customers using the Google email service. The article mainly focuses on the danger that might be caused due to gathering of private information using the data mining tools.
This article points out that the deep information related to the customers, gathered using data mining tools is used by the marketers to sell targeted advertising. By getting access to the messages sent using the Google email service, there is possibility to find the private information related to its customers. The data collected may include likes, dislikes, banking information, personal interests, habits and all such information related to its customers. The author feels uncomfortable using Google email service and being data-mined.
The author further states that if Google buys Twitter, the links posted by the customers can be used to record their interests. This will fetch more valuable information for the marketers to advertise and sell their products efficiently. He says that the Google’s motive behind buying Twitter is to do more data mining. Already Google has the information regarding documented searches, emails written, and it will have links posted by customers after buying Twitter. This will help Google to learn more about its customers and gather much more information.
In conclusion, the article is written to make people aware about the hazards of data mining and its power of extracting personal information. It also alerts the customers of Google services that they should be aware about the fact that their deep information can be accessed by Google. Hence, at most care should be taken while using such services so that it won’t lead to any disaster.
References:
Dvorak, J. (2009, May). Data Mining and the Death of Privacy. PC Magazine, 28(5), 1-1. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from Business Source Premier database