Spoke Network: Spooky People Search

[rogerd]

Internet Biz Columnist Bambi Francisco discusses her somewhat disconcerting experience with Spoke Network here: The Upside Down of Search - At What Point is Search Too Good? [cbs.marketwatch.com]

Spoke is yet another "social network", but by sucking in data from e-mail programs like Outlook, Eudora, etc., as well as public web info you may find yourself listed even if you aren't a member. Search results are influenced by the user's own network of contacts.

[HughMungus]

I was just about to post a link to that article. I can't think of anything more open to abuse than social networks and having data collected about you.

Imagine bill collectors calling the people in your network to get you to pay your bills or an angry customer or former employee talking to the people in your network.

The worst part is that all this data is being collected about people without their consent. I can imagine new laws coming down to put an end to that.

[rogerd]

I agree, HM. It's one thing to participate in a social network which you explicitly join and where you have some control over what you reveal. Now, you might end up in a network because your contact information was found in someone's address book or contact manager. This is pretty scary - not only do you have to worry about what info about you is on the web, you've got search engines scanning your friends' hard drives... sheesh.

Even paranoids have real privacy concerns. ;)

[rcjordan]

Did anyone else find it ironic that the footer asks you to give away your contact info?

"Sign up here for Bambi Francisco's Net Stocks and Net Sense newsletters at MarketWatch.com."

[HughMungus]

And I'm not even *that* paranoid. It's just that information can be abused and once it's public, it's public and you have zero control over how it *is* used.

Anyone know if there is legal recourse? I know that the government isn't allowed to collect information about people for no particular reason but what about companies and individuals? Can they legally collect information about you?

[HughMungus]

Yeah, RC, but they're not asking you who your friends, family, and business associates are, which is very sensitive information.

[rcjordan]

>not asking you who your friends, family, and business associates are

They don't have to, fill in enough of those newletter sign-ups (particularly with large companies which routinely buy/sell your data to other large companies) and they'll be able to assemble a handy profile.

[rogerd]

Yeah, wait until Bambi joins Spoke & downloads her newsletter subscription list. ;)

[HughMungus]

They don't have to, fill in enough of those newletter sign-ups (particularly with large companies which routinely buy/sell your data to other large companies) and they'll be able to assemble a handy profile.

How would they do that if I use a throwaway email address?

On the other hand, if someone on Friendster lists me as being in their network without my consent, anyone who can see that network will know who my friends, family, and business associates are *without my consent*. That's jacked.

[rogerd]

I think the biggest danger isn't random mail lists, but rather a friend or business contact who signs up for a service like this and downloads your contact info. They'll have your correct e-mail address ane who knows what else?

The current database seems a bit spotty. I found multiple listings for PubCon speakers like Matt Cutts, Dan Boberg, etc. Ex-CEO and author Jack Welch was in, too, but some other business names weren't. I wasn't. :)

[Webwork]

One night I want to hear Homer Simpson chanting "Bambi Francisco" instead of "chocolate donuts". I'd venture at least 100,000 men with some knowledge of investing would fall off of their couches laughing.

While I'm being totally tangential Valentine's Day date night took in "50 First Dates". It's Sandler's best in a long time and Drew Barrymore.....well, it would be a lucky man to wake up to her smiling face every morning. She has the comedic touch to pull off this role without turning it into something debasing a real disability. The movie is sweet and funny and has a few belly laughs to boot. If you need a little stress relief it's a pretty good date flick.

Okay. Tangent over. Back to planet Ork.