Trawling through Google’s search history database enables police to identify people merely based on what they might have been thinking about, for whatever reason, at some point in the past. This is a virtual dragnet through the public’s interests, beliefs, opinions, values and friendships, akin to mind reading powered by the Google time machine. This never-before-possible technique threatens First Amendment interests and will inevitably sweep up innocent people, especially if the keyword terms are not unique and the time frame not precise. To make matters worse, police are currently doing this in secret, which insulates the practice from public debate and regulation.
Jennifer Granick
Surveillance and cybersecurity counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Exclusive: Government Secretly Orders Google To Identify Anyone Who Has Searched A Name, Address And Telephone Number
[As I have mentioned before I’ve been impressed with Granick on Internet freedom issues.
Avoid the use of Google. They are evil. Use DuckDuckGo or something similar, use a privacy window in your browser and consider using a VPN such as Private Internet ACCESS.—Joe]
I’m surprised this isn’t a service sold by goofgle to police departments already. I’m sure it was built as part of a social credit scoring system?
It seems trivial to line up a set of logic gates that bring one to conclusions about personality types. Kind of like a reverse horoscope system.
The problem will always lie in the hype. Peoples belief that it works is what matters most.
Like computer modeled climate science. It seems to me it requires a lot of faith to overlook the malice. The intended, and unintended consequences will be painful.
I would add 3 words to the end of your excellent reply. “As a minimum.”
As the saying goes…..”if you aren’t on a government watch list by now, SHAME ON YOU”.