2 ms·

Even anonimized data that seems very generic and nonspecific, when corolated with other data points paints a very precise and specific picture of an individual,

by throwaway2048 12y ago

Even anonimized data that seems very generic and nonspecific, when corolated with other data points paints a very precise and specific picture of an individual, including enough to accurately identify them. This is Google's entire business model. Health data is very far from this idealized anonimization-friendly case. It is some of the most specific data avalible about you, and it can easily be abused to disadvantage you in ways you can do nothing about (insurance, job prospects, social standing, even as far as getting your life threatened by people who disagree with things like sexuality and abortion) Im sure Google appreciates your faith in them. But you should carefully consider the consequnces. Once the information is out there, there is no getting it back.

jkn 12y ago
You're making a good point with the "there is no getting back". I kind of trust Google based on their track record but you can never be sure about the future[1]. But all in all what matters is not whether I can trust them perfectly, it's that to me the expected benefits are concrete and vastly outweigh the theoretical risks. I guess I'm in a privileged position such that I wouldn't even mind having most of these data made public to help with this kind of research[2]. To me it is more about progressivism vs. conservatism than about faith in a particular company (though I do worry that one company might concentrate too much power). [1] Although Google's direction is arguably more stable than is usual for publicly traded companies, given the particular share structure designed to keep control in the hands of the founders. [2] Mostly, being in generally good health and living in a country where basic health insurance is guaranteed and good enough, with premiums that don't depend on your health.

2 ms·

Even anonimized data that seems very generic and nonspecific, when corolated with other data points paints a very precise and specific picture of an individual,

by throwaway2048 12y ago

jkn 12y ago
You're making a good point with the "there is no getting back". I kind of trust Google based on their track record but you can never be sure about the future[1]. But all in all what matters is not whether I can trust them perfectly, it's that to me the expected benefits are concrete and vastly outweigh the theoretical risks. I guess I'm in a privileged position such that I wouldn't even mind having most of these data made public to help with this kind of research[2]. To me it is more about progressivism vs. conservatism than about faith in a particular company (though I do worry that one company might concentrate too much power). [1] Although Google's direction is arguably more stable than is usual for publicly traded companies, given the particular share structure designed to keep control in the hands of the founders. [2] Mostly, being in generally good health and living in a country where basic health insurance is guaranteed and good enough, with premiums that don't depend on your health.