Facebook Reveals Secrets You Haven’t Shared

The increasing amount of personal information that can be gleaned by computer programs that track how people use Facebook has been revealed by an extensive academic study.

Such programs can discern undisclosed private information such as Facebook users’ sexuality, drug-use habits and even whether their parents separated when they were young, according to the study by the University of Cambridge academics.

In one of the biggest studies of its kind, scientists from the university’s psychometrics team and a Microsoft-funded research centre analysed data from 58,000 Facebook users to predict traits and other information that were not provided in their profiles.

The algorithms were 88 per cent accurate in predicting male sexual orientation, 95 per cent for race and 80 per cent for religion and political leanings. Personality types and emotional stability were also predicted with accuracy ranging from 62-75 per cent.

Facebook declined to comment.

The study highlights growing concerns about social networks and how data trails can be mined for sensitive information, even when people attempt to keep information about themselves private. Less than 5 per cent of users predicted to be gay, for example, were connected with explicitly gay groups.

Michal Kosinksi, one of the report’s authors, told the Financial Times that the university’s techniques could easily be replicated by companies to infer personal attributes a person did not wish to share, such as sexual orientation or political views: “We used very simple and generic methods. Marketing companies and internet companies could spend much more time and resources, and hence get much higher accuracy than we did.”

Last week, the EU agreed to water down proposals for a radical overhaul of data privacy regulation. The move reflects governments’ reluctance to impede internet businesses that might spur economic growth, and follows fierce lobbying from technology companies including Facebook and Google.

Personal data has become big business. Wonga, the UK online lender, makes credit judgments within seconds based on thousands of pieces of information, including an applicant’s Facebook profile. Tesco, the supermarket chain, this month started to use its customers’ shopping histories to sell targeted online advertising.

The report also revealed some unexpected correlations – such as people who liked ‘curly fries’ having higher IQs, while those who like Facebook’s “Sliding on Floors With Your Socks On” page were unlikely to use drugs.

Mr Kosinski said, however, that the study was not designed to discourage online sharing: “I would discourage people from abstaining from the technology – the milk is to some extent already spilt and there’s a lot of information about you online anyway. I would suggest raising privacy settings and exerting consumer pressure by trying to use the services that are protecting your privacy best.”

Views: 727

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

Comment by Dave Phillips on March 15, 2013 at 11:09pm

They won't like what they find about me, I have it locked down so tight they can probably tell I am a male in Australia and that is it. The rest is all false trails for them to follow for a while.

Comment by Sweettina2 on March 14, 2013 at 11:53pm

I pretty much knew they would know everything about me going in.  But I've awakened a whole lotta people there.  Its worth it to me.  They know about us anyhow.

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

tjdavis posted a video
4 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Burbia's blog post James Comey appears to call for the assassination of President Trump
"Goes to show what ruthless bastards we have in the federal government!"
17 hours ago
Doc Vega favorited Burbia's blog post James Comey appears to call for the assassination of President Trump
17 hours ago
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Memorial Day Special: The Battle of the Coral Sea and its Incredible Impact

 When we re-examine major events in history sometimes truly significant occurrences can be…See More
yesterday
cheeki kea posted a video

Trump Just Wrecked South Africa...

President Trump just met the president of South Africa, and the discussion quickly turned to the refugee crisis taking place in that country, and what the So...
yesterday
cheeki kea commented on Burbia's photo
Thumbnail

What's in Macron's hand? Cocaine bag?

"I think folks need to watch the vid and make up their own minds about the question. It's not…"
Thursday
cheeki kea posted a photo
Thursday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

The Vampires of Washington DC

 There are many forms of vampire from the supposedly mythical humanoid form to the actual bat that…See More
Wednesday
Less Prone posted a video

How to make a modern heating stove that millions of people do not know

How to make a modern heating stove that millions of people do not know
Wednesday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Monday
Doc Vega's 7 blog posts were featured
Monday
tjdavis's blog post was featured
Monday
Burbia's blog post was featured
Monday
cheeki kea's blog post was featured
Monday
Less Prone posted a video

PFIZER-GATE verdict - A resounding Slap in the Face for Ursula von der Leyen

🇨🇦🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺 | ++ PFIZER-GATE verdict - A resounding slap in the face for EU corruption-president Ursula von der Leyen ++💉💰 1.8 billion doses of corona...
Monday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Strange Horror Story (Told in First Person)

 It was 3 AM and I was just getting off work. Owning a small service business, I worked commercial…See More
May 17
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post If History is Ever Portrayed as It Really Happened
"Most likely one of their many butt buddies! "
May 17
Burbia posted a blog post

James Comey appears to call for the assassination of President Trump

I'm sure these are the kind of shells Comey is implying here. …See More
May 16
Doc Vega posted blog posts
May 15
rlionhearted_3 commented on Doc Vega's blog post If History is Ever Portrayed as It Really Happened
"The “white dude in the center” is Bill Gates. People been planning shit for generations."
May 15

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted