While amusing (and well-written), the real risk is when the data spreads beyond the control of the ISP. "It looks like we're going to miss our growth target. I

While amusing (and well-written), the real risk is when the data spreads beyond the control of the ISP. "It looks like we're going to miss our growth target. I want my bonus, so find something that looks like a new source of revenue." "We could sell the tracking data we've been collecting." "Aren't we already selling indirect access to that data through our 'Relevant Mobile Advertising'[1] program? We won't be able to sell the tracking data piecemeal if we sell the entire database." "That won't be a problem. We'll just add more Magic Crypto Pixie Dust[2]. If anybody complains, we can explain that we are protecting them by carefully hashing any personal identifying information." "Great! That will hold any problems until after I get may bonus. When someone finally correlates the hashes with other databases, that will be Someone Else's Problem." [... time passes ...] -- A religious fundamentalist in a very rural setting is trying about using databases. "The news said that the only job left is moving the stuff on old computers to something they called 'big data'." -- After getting a job migrating legacy databases, the fundamentalist discovers that the database they are tasked with loading into ${fad_analysis_tool} includes pornography viewing histories. "Finally! With this data we can identify the people that are secretly ${socially_disliked_group}. We can finally eradicate all of ${socially_disliked_group} from the gene pool! The sinners must be purged!" -- Everyone learns to resolve problems with words instead of violence. Our differences start to be seen as opportunities instead of a threat to the in-group. Listening to other people's opinions becomes the national pastime. [1] https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/unique-identifier-header-faqs/ https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/unique-identifier-he... [2] https://projectbullrun.org/surveillance/2015/video-2015.html#bernstein https://projectbullrun.org/surveillance/2015/video-2015.html...