Online privacy threat

Two weeks ago AOL, a Google search customer, accidentally released information on 20 million keyword searches by its customers. While online marketers who’ve managed to download this keyword list are pleased to have valuable information on search habits, many are worried about the implications on online privacy. In one case a New York Times journalist tracked down Thelma Arnold. Internet user number 4417749 (assigned to protect privacy) was identified by analysing her searches of the past three months. On Wednesday, Google Inc’s CEO Eric Schmidt, stated that Google has taken all necessary measures to insure users’ personal data is protect from theft or accidental release. Schmidt has said that potential demands by governments to disclose information on users’ surfing habits is a more serious threat to online privacy than accidental release. Earlier this year Google went to court to block a request by US government for data on Google’s users. AOL apologised on Monday for the accidental release and has launched an internal probe into the matter. This data is currently circulating on the Internet, with a few people using the information to create free online keyword research tools. Have your say on online privacy with our search engine forum.