Search Engine Data Collection

Search Engine Data Collection Citizens individual(prenominal) culture has ever so been actively sought by government authorities and by tete-a-tete businesses, and up until recently, has been kept exclusively by the institutions requesting the information. However, those days of confidentiality are over, as the creative activity becomes increasingly structured upon the evolution of the Internet.Today, government authorities and offstage businesses have a multitude of ways to access in the flesh(predicate) information that is submitted through the World astray Web, one of these methods being the surveillance and bring in of inquisition requests through online search engines such as Google (Search Engine Privacy). The aggregation of personally identifiable information by search engines threatens consumer silence and violates the US Constitutions Fourth Amendment, which guarantees the right of the people to be make prisoner in their persons, ho put ons, papers, and effec ts, against unreasonable searches and seizures (Electronic Privacy).As the privacy rights of citizens are increasingly being compromised, governments pauperisation to implement stricter electronic privacy laws regarding search engine selective information show to defend citizens from a world of blurred boundaries. The evolution of the World Wide Web has proved to be advantageous for insular businesses that have prospered from the wealth of information that is granted to them through search engines. Search engine entropy analysis provides companies with crucial knowledge about their consumers, allowing businesses to maximize their profits by catering to their consumers ineluctably and desires.An example of this is the analysis of search request trends to shout out when prom dresses would sell best. One would assume that with most school proms pickings place in May that March through April would be the nonesuch time to display prom dress content online however, search engine data research concludes that the month with the most searches for prom dress is January. Companies chiffonier then take this information and capitalize by making shrewd choices in terms of timing (Tancer 59-68).Using consumers search request information to address trends to maximize profits is a relatively benign example of how data entered into search engines can be used. Search requests contain highly personal information about consumers, such as their medical issues, religious background, governmental partiality, and sexual orientation, opening the door to behavioral marketing (Search Engine Privacy). By collecting information about consumer interests and habits, companies essentially have a vena portae into the minds of their target market, which they can use and abuse at their discretion.A nonher threat that search engine data collection poses to citizens is the risk of leaked whether intentional or accidental personal information. Although data collection companies cla im that they screen their clients thoroughly to begin with providing them with information, critics say that the fabrications screening process is negligent (Electronic Privacy). In May 1996, for example, a television reporter based in California requested the personal information of 5,000 children from Metromail Corp. , using the name of Richard Allen Davis, a well-known convicted child liquidator in the state.The company released a list of more than 5,000 childrens names, ages, addresses and phone numbers racket to this undercover reporter at the cost of $277 (Electronic Privacy). This incident exemplifies the potential dangers of let go information to third parties and the risks of not employing a thorough screening set in the process. Another incident of leaked information involves a 62-year-old widow, Thelma Arnold, who, along with 657,000 others, had her personal search inquiries leaked by AOL.AOL had intended the release of this information to hit academician researche rs and assigned numbers in place of names to protect the namelessness of users however, they did not consider how easy it was to determine the identities of these users through simple investigation. As a result of this lapse in foresight by AOL tiny records of the personal search inquiries of Thelma Arnold and 657,000 other Americans are still circulating online immediately (Barbaro and Zeller Jr. ). Although search engine data collection has its risks, supporters argue that these companies ecstasy a service that ultimately benefits the consumer (Electronic Privacy).Solveig Singleton, director of information studies at the Cato Institute, says that if privacy alarmists succeed in achieving commandment of the industry, consumers will ultimately be harmed. Singleton believes that consumers benefit by sharing information about themselves because businesses can then purpose and market new products that are tailored to consumers needs (Electronic Privacy). Examining the viewpoints o f both critics and supporters of data collecting companies, the essential question that needs to be considered is whether or not the development of new products for a arget audience is worth risking the privacy and precaution of consumers. Despite the fact that many citizens have voiced their concerns over electronic privacy matters, the government has still been reluctant to interfere with the information industry, fearing that regulation could hinder an industry that is growing exponentially and contributing to the U. S. economy. To ensure that this industrys economic potential is fully realized, government officials are active to adopt a laissez-faire approach to Internet business (Electronic Privacy).As the use of the Internet becomes more and more pertinent to the daily lives of citizens, the concept of privacy is being challenged. Although the government is aware that it should be seeking ways to protect its citizens, it fears at the same time that enforcing stricter online privacy rights will stunt the offset of private businesses that thrive off consumers personal information. Ultimately, the issue of search engine privacy is a struggle to find harmony between both opposing entities the protection of privacy rights of citizens and the growth of the information industry and private businesses.Unfortunately, at the moment, it is the privacy rights of citizens that are being compromised in this relationship. The government needs to create and strictly enforce specific laws pertaining to search engine data collection to deter todays world from heading into a world like that in George Orwells 1984, a world in which telescreens monitor every citizens every move a world with which our current online world shares frightening similarities.