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Analsys & Opinion AOL throws search security into doubt
Analsys & Opinion AOL throws search security into doubt | AOL throws search security into doubt |
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| by Stan Beer | |
| Wednesday, 09 August 2006 | |
  
AOL, which has publicly admitted its error, posted the details of 20 million private search queries conducted earlier this year on a site that was intended for academics but turned out to be freely available to the public. In fact, so freely available was the data, that it was copied and reposted around the web by bloggers before AOL realised its mistake and took the data down. Now, the unfortunate 658,000 AOL members are doomed to have their private search information displayed for the world to see and AOL is powerless to correct its mistake. The most disturbing aspect of the episode is that each search query was labelled with a numeric identification number which could enable online investigators to discover the identities of the searchers, what they searched for and in some cases intimate details about the individuals. The episode raises the question of whether it is acceptable for search engine providers to store information about the private searches conducted by individuals on the web. Most web surfers assume that the queries in the searches they conduct are completely anonymous. However, the AOL episode shows that every search that every user has ever conducted on the web is potentially a traceable and possibly damaging piece of information. It is understandable that search engines want to store information about searches so that they can discern trends to help them improve their search engine marketing and search optimisation. After all, that's the business they're in. However, what is not acceptable and a clear breach of privacy is recording information linking searches to users. As far as 658,000 unfortunate AOL members are concerned, it is not clear what their options are. No doubt, however, in the land of litigation there may soon be some enterprising members of the Bar putting up their hands to make suggestions. {moscomment} |
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