Privacy? What's that?

[starrylizard]

*shudders*

All-knowing browser

Ever given false information when prompted for personal details by a website? Don't worry, the US copying and computing company Xerox hopes to eliminate that kind of questioning because it believes it can get the information without even asking.

Even if you choose not to reveal who you are, Xerox says it can determine demographic information such as your age, sex and perhaps even your income by analysing the pattern of pages you choose to access on the web and comparing them to a database of surfing patterns from other users with a known background.

Xerox suggests that the idea could be used by online merchants and advertisers who want to identify the types of users visiting their websites.

Of course, the approach will only work so long as different people do not use the same browser profile. And, unfortunately, the patent application does not address possible privacy concerns.

From here

Comments

[j3ffu.livejournal.com]

Huuuuuuh...
That's so dodgy hey.
Apparently the privacy laws in America may allow that kind of stuff. I know that when you visit the bigger American websites, they try to direct you to the Australian counterpart because they can immediately read whether you're in the US or not. I think that in Australia we're alot more protected from that kinda thing though...but who knows...over the net, its difficult to really enforce...

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Well have you seen those meme things, where you can see the number of hits to a site and plot them on a map? I mean, its easy to tell where we are, right down to the city just from your IP address, but this is somehow supposed to get age, sex, income etc. I don't get how, but that seems rather more intrusive than usual.

Hopefully someone will ask the right ethical questions of the patent. *shrugs*

[j3ffu.livejournal.com]

I guess they try to sort of guess by looking at our behaviour and then stereotyping that behaviour to aim specific things at us.
You're right, it is really more intrusive than usual. I find it annoying enough that they already know where you're from just by IP.

I'm sure someone will ask...someone has to O_o;;;

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Here's hoping! O_o

[pavaneofstars.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I'll be staying away from Xerox. They don't need to know all of that information. That's messed up.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Indeed!