Features

The previous KDnuggets Poll was about the AOL Search Data, whose release prompted a storm of criticism of invasion of privacy and led to the resignation of AOL CTO.

Although AOL Search Data was removed from AOL site, copies are available on the web.

The poll asked whether analyzing thos AOL Search Data is ethical.

The largest group - about half - thought that the analysis was OK only in aggregate.

Here are other responses:

• Not ethical - it's an invasion of privacy: 14%
• OK only in aggregate, without any user ID: 48%
• OK, if private and sensitive searches are somehow removed: 24%
• OK without restrictions - other people are doing it: 14%