Data Mining Protects You?

[sulphurdunn]

For anyone who still thinks data mining is a valid government activity, please read the attached article. I was particularly impressed by the twisted judicial logic used to deny 1st Amendment rights to US citizens in this case while granting massive data collection authority for a fishing expedition by a private corporation.


http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/07/11-3

[bravenak]

1. No.

I don't think it does but I may be paranoid.

[sulphurdunn]

3. You're only paranoid

if they really aren't out to get you.

[Autumn]

2. It seems nothing they do anymore is for the People.

REc

[JoePhilly]

4. Data mining is basically a method of statistical

analysis.

On its own, it neither hurts or protects, anyone.

btw ... the EPA and the FDA also use data mining techniques.

[sulphurdunn]

5. That is true.

But data is of little value on its own.

[JoePhilly]

6. That's why you "mine" it.

Let's take medical records. I don't want my records being passed around to everyone. You probably do not either.

However, its a very good idea for medical researchers to have access to my records, and your records, and the records of many others, so that they can look for patterns and trends associated with the efficacy of various treatments on individuals of different races, genders and ages.

From such analysis, on the upside, you can design better treatment protocols.

Or, on the down side, you could determine that certain patients can't be helped, and then assign them relative rankings via your death panels.

And so, before one can get into a discussion of the "value of data mining" one must understand that the collection of the data is not the issue.

The issue is how the data is used, how the analysis is structure, the kinds of questions that are asked, the extent to which those questions look at specific individuals or "aggregated data", and then what actions can, should, or should not, follow.

[JoeyT]

8. It's important for medical researchers to have access to *anonymous* medical records.

And that's why it isn't an invasion of privacy. Knowing a 40 year old man that smoked had genital warts is a great deal different than knowing Bob Smith of 32 Privet Drive Knoxville Tennessee had genital warts.

[blkmusclmachine]

7. Protect? NO. Profiles? YES!!

[Blackford]

9. There is not any modern organization in the world that does not do data mining

You'd be surprised where your data is.

Heck, the NSA should probably give up on collecting metadata themselves and simply buy it from the hundreds of companies out selling it! They'd save a helluva lot of money and would probably end up with better data!

[sulphurdunn]

11. Sure, but what would happen

to the investments of Booz Allen Hamilton and the other job creators cashing in on data mining for the govmint? I think this racket is more about money than data.

[Blackford]

12. Definitely n/t

[DhhD]

10. Will this happen to Texan women who supported Pro-Choice in the Texas Senate this summer?

[sulphurdunn]

13. Why would you think such a thing?

Repeat after me: Republicans are my friends. Republicans protect my body. Republicans are job creators. Republicans love women. Republicans will take care of me....Smile and repeat that over and over until you believe it because reality can be such a downer.

[otohara]

14. Every Search I Make Is Data Mined By Some Corporation

whether it be a retail or a state or anything - North Carolina travel sites keep popping up since I've been reading what's going on down there. Vitacost knows when to target me - every 30 days to remind me I need to order.

The internet isn't the place to be if you're worried about being targeted by a private corporation.

[sulphurdunn]

15. Just ten years ago

that was not the case. It has come about slowly, in incremental steps. You are correct, and things have gotten way out of control with corporate influence, not just on the internet but everywhere.