4 ms·

Firstly, I just want to take the opportunity to thank you for sticking around and taking part in the conversation. While my own thoughts lie mostly with the ot

by phs318u 10y ago

Firstly, I just want to take the opportunity to thank you for sticking around and taking part in the conversation. While my own thoughts lie mostly with the other respondents in this thread, it's critical that we have channels somewhere in-between "press release" and "Wikileaks" for getting some insight into the workings of companies like Uber. Having said all that, it's still creepy. And the examples you gave (Google/Gmail, Microsoft/Cortana) are almost certainly also instances where data collected is being systematically used in what many would consider creepy ways.

bastawhiz 10y ago
I don't want to sound like I'm minimizing the issue, when I say this, because I respect the sentiments expressed here greatly. But there's a very strong stigma around collection of location data, more so than other forms of more sensitive information. Almost every credit card company, bank, insurance company, and more share your every purchase. What you buy, what you eat, how you live. As far as the sensitivity of data goes, location data is serious, but far less serious compared to things that people are mostly okay with. For me, I go to and from home, the gym, and work. Every day. If someone was looking at that data, I'd be creeped out, but they'd learn almost nothing about me. If someone saw my credit card statements, I'd be mortified. And yet, almost everyone forgets to fill out and mail back that little slip you get with a new credit card that says "hey, actually I don't want you to sell all of my data to everyone on the planet."
- rajathagasthya 10y ago
  > For me, I go to and from home, the gym, and work. Every day. If someone was looking at that data, I'd be creeped out, but they'd learn almost nothing about me. Ha, this sounds exactly like "I have nothing to hide, so I'm okay with the NSA gathering all of my data".
- pg314 10y ago
  Some people do have things to hide: they are having affairs, visiting prostitutes, going to Planned Parenthood to have an abortion, going to a cancer center to get treatment,...
- newman314 10y ago
  I'd suggest you read https://www.wired.com/2013/03/anonymous-phone-location-data/ https://www.wired.com/2013/03/anonymous-phone-location-data/ if you have not previously seen this. Part of the issue is that location has a lot more "physicality" tied to it. One can't easily change where they live, work etc. whereas it's much easier to switch credit cards.

by phs318u 10y ago

bastawhiz 10y ago

I don't want to sound like I'm minimizing the issue, when I say this, because I respect the sentiments expressed here greatly. But there's a very strong stigma around collection of location data, more so than other forms of more sensitive information. Almost every credit card company, bank, insurance company, and more share your every purchase. What you buy, what you eat, how you live. As far as the sensitivity of data goes, location data is serious, but far less serious compared to things that people are mostly okay with. For me, I go to and from home, the gym, and work. Every day. If someone was looking at that data, I'd be creeped out, but they'd learn almost nothing about me. If someone saw my credit card statements, I'd be mortified. And yet, almost everyone forgets to fill out and mail back that little slip you get with a new credit card that says "hey, actually I don't want you to sell all of my data to everyone on the planet."

rajathagasthya 10y ago
> For me, I go to and from home, the gym, and work. Every day. If someone was looking at that data, I'd be creeped out, but they'd learn almost nothing about me. Ha, this sounds exactly like "I have nothing to hide, so I'm okay with the NSA gathering all of my data".
pg314 10y ago
Some people do have things to hide: they are having affairs, visiting prostitutes, going to Planned Parenthood to have an abortion, going to a cancer center to get treatment,...
newman314 10y ago
I'd suggest you read https://www.wired.com/2013/03/anonymous-phone-location-data/ https://www.wired.com/2013/03/anonymous-phone-location-data/ if you have not previously seen this. Part of the issue is that location has a lot more "physicality" tied to it. One can't easily change where they live, work etc. whereas it's much easier to switch credit cards.