Comments on: Facebook Dataset Identified

By: Reed

Reed — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:10:50 +0000

I’ve just come across this post. I’d be interested in more specific details of what sorts of risks that Facebook users might encounter as a result of this information being released.

By: Schmidt mit Dete » De-anonymisierung eines anonymisierten Datensatzes

Schmidt mit Dete » De-anonymisierung eines anonymisierten Datensatzes — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:29:53 +0000

[...] Fred Stutzman bin ich auf ein Beispiel aufmerksam geworden, das die Probleme der Freigabe von anonymisierten [...]

By: Jan Schmidt

Jan Schmidt — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:08:09 +0000

Interesting case, and I strongly aggree with the idea of revising/updating ethical research guidelines (also mentioned by Michael Zimmer in his post). Since I’m coordinating a similar discussion group within the “German Association of Internet Research” (DGOF), I’d be interested in a citation for your remark: “a recent survey found that most users expected their profiles to be viewed primarily by their close group of friends”
Could you point me to the resource?

By: Liminal states » Berkman Center doesn’t bother to consult with privacy experts before publishing 1700 students’ Facebook data (DRAFT)

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:57:32 +0000

[...] Facebook Dataset Identified, Fred Stuzman, Unit [...]

By: michaelzimmer.org » Archives » More On the “Anonymity” of the Facebook Dataset - It’s Harvard College (Updated)

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:14:01 +0000

[...] my update at the bottom of the post, as well as Fred Stutzman’s thoughtful [...]

By: Michael Zimmer

Michael Zimmer — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:03:29 +0000

“The original research mission (to collect and analyze a set with proper safeguards) was within bounds; the follow-up distribution is the element that clearly poses risk.”

Very true. One of the key challenges here is that the NSF required the release of the data as a condition of funding. But with such a small dataset, and all the contextual clues, the attempt to maintain anonymity failed.

So, do we need to work on better methods for anonymization of small datasets, or force granting bodies to rethink the requirement to make *all data* publicly available?

Likely, both….

By: fred

fred — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:17:18 +0000

For some reason I thought you might agree with that!

By: Michael Zimmer

Michael Zimmer — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:08:03 +0000

“Should Schools of Information prepare information ethicists for this role?” — YES!