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Microsoft China Watching Your Every Move

Written on
June 6th 2007
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A Microsoft site based in China is testing developing software that creates a refined profile on Internet users which will include sex, age and geographical origin. The software determines these things based on behavior, not form entry. The intention of the software is to specify target advertising, however some critics speculate that the software may be used to target “subversive citizens.”

Reporters Without Borders stated, “[We] believe it is unacceptable to carry out this kind of sensitive research in a country such as China, where 50 people are currently in prison because of what they posted online.”

There is controversy in several countries over the concept of collected user information by top search engines like Yahoo, Microsoft and Google. The EU is currently conducting a privacy probe on Google’s information-gathering and storage practices.

The New Scientist drew its report from a study called “Demographic Prediction Based on Users’ Browsing Behavior,” published by researchers working in a Beijing Microsoft lab.

The study focuses on tactics that enable the clarification of information provided on forms online by comparing entries to surfing habits.

So the question remains whether or not these large companies should be allowed to make assumptions about a user that could potentially be incriminating. Although it is a good move for targeted advertising, how much do you really need to know about your users and how will China as a research center on behavioral information fit into that.



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