Google is the single most frightening data mining operation ever created. Of all the hyperbole, especially somewhere like ATS (
) that I've been
exposed to, the scariest phrases I've ever heard are "Google analytics" and "Google spiders". The spectrum of information they can obtain is staggering - factoring in home computing and mobile devices, including smart phones - but what can be done with that information to "map" a person is truly scary. It's not just that they know where you go, what you access, and your personal communications. It's that they can analyze that data to profile you.
How long do you spend on certain webpages versus others?
How often do you visit specific websites, businesses, or addresses.
Who else frequents those sites or places? Are their visits overlapping yours?
What psychological or pathological patterns emerge from your habits???
All very frightening things for anyone to be able to access... Much less a private company. Or a private company set up as a front for, oh I don't know, CIA, NSA?
Scary stuff indeed.
~Heff
(I enjoy looking at nice food on the internet rather than actually eating in
real life) 
