Monday 21 December 2009

What They Found Out About You

A while ago I used Amazon to buy some electronic equipment and a gift for my niece. When I returned to the site the incredibly complex algorithmic stuff which made their recommendations concluded I was the sort of individual who'd be interested in pornographic DVD's and Peppa Pig books.

Thankfully nobody was peering over my shoulder otherwise they'd be left with the impression I was someone who buys nothing but bongo flicks and children's literature. Also imagine I really was buying skin flicks, it certainly wouldn't be the sort of thing I would want passed around.

This was just after one buy over time I'd imagine they'd have a more accurate picture to an almost creepy extent. Imagine the crap Google knows about you, but hey if you are not doing anything illegal, you've got nothing to hide, right kids? What if this information leads to them concluding you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered you night be bothered.

A woman in the American state of California is most certainly bothered and is suing Netflix (I guess the UK equivalent would be Love Film) for breaching her privacy after exposing her rental history to outside developers who could make a educated deduction (using sources like IMDB) that she was a lesbian, something she would not like to widely known. I speculate what DVD's would lead someone to conclude they were lesbian, the complete Prisoner Cell Block H box set perhaps? I'm drifting into lazy stereotypes I'll admit, the point is if exercising your right to remain in the closet (and even those not) remember finger prints will be left online even if the evidence is cleared out from the local computer.

Yes if you're trans you'll know this as you cant obtain a licence to tranny without IT knowledge.

6 comments:

  1. "Yes if you're trans you'll know this as you cant obtain a licence to tranny without IT knowledge."

    LMAO!!!

    Brilliant, pet....

    Love
    chrissie
    xxxxxx

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  2. LOL indeed. :) There's footprints all over the shop - from an T'interweb point of view.

    This week The Times ran an article and part of it covered the up and coming generation's take on privacy. The researcher was suggesting that as many teenagers live at home (where parents / siblings will just enter a bedroom), the Internet has become - perhaps ironically - a private place.

    I think there's some truth in this. I mean: how many tranny blogs are started so the author can express themselves? :)

    PS: My only gripe with Amazon is they need a 'this is a gift' tick box. I really don't need my brother-in-law's musical tastes mixing with mine. :D

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  3. OMG! The Tranny License! I got one several years ago and now I don't even know what I did with it. I guess it is on one of my computers. I wonder if Becky can re-issue it?

    You know, I guess this is one good thing about having a dual identity. I suppose, using the IP address, that there are ways to associate your male and female personas. But what if I were to transition and change legal my name to Calie? Indeed, I have not ruled that out. I guess it all becomes real at that point and I will seriously need to consider that transgender voice surgery ad that is currently sitting at the top of my Gmail.

    Calie xxx

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  4. If anyone ever goes through my Netflix queue they might decide I'm somewhat intelligent...bwahhaha!

    Of course, my Amazon list would convince them I'm so old I should be dead already by the music that's there!

    Merry Christmas, Lucy and thank you for the kind words, the support and the caring through all this time! May your New Year bring you ever Happiness you could ever imagine plus just a little extra!

    alan

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  5. I agree a 'Gift' or Guest user option would make sense at Amazon so My Preferences are mine (I don't do Dan Brown for instance)

    Mc1/Caroline

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  6. I like the idea of a "this is a gift" option. :)

    There may be a generational difference in what people put up online but nearly everyone has something they want to keep private.

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