Ace of Spades HQ

March 11, 2013

Facebook "like" behavior an accurate predictor [Purp]
— Open Blogger

So you got a tight fake Facebook identity -- good. But is that fake account really protecting you as much as you think it does? Apparently not if you're one of those people addicted to hitting that "like" button.

...This study demonstrates the degree to which relatively basic digital records of human behavior can be used to automatically and accurately estimate a wide range of personal attributes that people would typically assume to be private...

So what can they predict with some measure of confidence?

...The highest accuracy was achieved for ethnic origin and gender. African Americans and Caucasian Americans were correctly classified in 95% of cases, and males and females were correctly classified in 93% of cases, suggesting that patterns of online behavior as expressed by Likes significantly differ between those groups allowing for nearly perfect classification. Christians and Muslims were correctly classified in 82%of cases, and similar results were achieved for Democrats and Republicans (85%). Sexual orientation was easier to distinguish among males (88%) than females (75%) , which may suggest a wider behavioral divide (as observed from online behavior) between hetero- and homosexual males...

Now for the kicker...

"...given appropriate training data, it may be

possible to reveal other attributes as well..."

I'll leave it as an exercise for you to imagine what kind of "other attributes" could be divined from the government mining this data. Damned few are gonna involve targeted ads trying to sell you Hello Kitty socks, THAT you can bank on.

The whole research paper is worth reading. My creep-factor meter was pegged at 11.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 03:18 PM | Comments (107)
Post contains 271 words, total size 2 kb.

1 How do you think Obama got re elected?(besides the stupidity and apathy)

Posted by: steevy at March 11, 2013 03:19 PM (9XBK2)

2 I'm not on facebook but I like boobehs . Can this be used against me ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at March 11, 2013 03:21 PM (TQOZk)

3 Should be easier to find fellas, then!

Posted by: Barney Frank at March 11, 2013 03:21 PM (p4aFM)

4 Forget SMOD. I'm this close to begging for a massive EMP strike.

Posted by: mongo78 at March 11, 2013 03:22 PM (2b46R)

5 ...... more than it already is ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at March 11, 2013 03:22 PM (TQOZk)

6 RAPE!

Posted by: Ashley Schmudd at March 11, 2013 03:22 PM (MMC8r)

7 Things like this are why I don't have Facebook or use Google. I'm sure eventually they'd realize I'm a tax evading, government loathing, speed limit ignoring scofflaw in need of a drone strike.

Posted by: kathysaysso at March 11, 2013 03:22 PM (6H6o8)

8 Being "liked" by some ugly guy on Facebook is pretty much like being raped.

Posted by: Puff Judd-ly at March 11, 2013 03:22 PM (rdy8w)

9 I think Facebook or no, Google or not, 'they' can figure out pretty much anything they want.

Posted by: Tami[/i] at March 11, 2013 03:24 PM (X6akg)

10 I don't like this.

Posted by: Cicero, Semiautomatic Assault Commenter at March 11, 2013 03:24 PM (8ZskC)

11 Mining Facebook for info is rape.

Posted by: Tilikum the Killer Assault Whale at March 11, 2013 03:25 PM (uhftQ)

12 This is just what I would expect to hear from a male, bi-curious ewok!

Posted by: Truman North at March 11, 2013 03:25 PM (+JzGj)

13 I'm not worried. I've never "liked" anything.

Posted by: Grumpy Cat at March 11, 2013 03:26 PM (j3uk1)

14 Hmm, I think I may have created a facebook account through monster while job hunting. Haven't even tried to see if it's there.

Posted by: teej at March 11, 2013 03:26 PM (PNi9V)

15 Purp's an Ewok ? Who knew ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at March 11, 2013 03:26 PM (TQOZk)

16 I'd rape an ewok.

Posted by: Tilikum the Killer Assault Whale at March 11, 2013 03:27 PM (uhftQ)

17 Facebook saves me a ton of money. I used to donate to causes that are important but now I just click Like.

Posted by: Cicero, Semiautomatic Assault Commenter at March 11, 2013 03:28 PM (8ZskC)

18 Never did Facebook. Probably shouldn't have done those Yahoo searches on making homemade nuclear devices though.

Posted by: Ook? at March 11, 2013 03:28 PM (OQpzc)

19 Facebook. The play ground of narcissists.

Posted by: wattyler1381 at March 11, 2013 03:28 PM (F2Vrz)

20 I had Netflix fill my suggestions with gay romances once. I actually had to stop fucking the houseboy to delete them all.

Posted by: zsasz at March 11, 2013 03:28 PM (MMC8r)

21 All data will be uploaded to the targeting drone....then they will cull the heard, and not to keep the fittest. Face it, Morons will be high on the hit parade. To build a kinder gentler society; that will not be able to repair their indoor plumbing.

Posted by: Paladin at March 11, 2013 03:28 PM (h7wab)

22 I'd rape an ewok. Who wouldn't ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at March 11, 2013 03:29 PM (TQOZk)

23 Shut it down!!!!

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 11, 2013 03:29 PM (NzBQO)

yeah, I don't have enough to be paranoid about.

I think about this data mining every time I do internet searches. It is only a matter of time before a series of searches days apart can be linked together to paint a nefarious picture of your intentions. (if it isn't already happening)

Posted by: ParanoidGirlInSeattle at March 11, 2013 03:29 PM (RZ8pf)

25 Grumpy Cat "liked" something once. Once.

Posted by: Truman North at March 11, 2013 03:29 PM (+JzGj)

26 I'm sure eventually they'd realize I'm a tax evading, government loathing, speed limit ignoring scofflaw in need of a drone strike.

Hi. Wanna buy some Hello Kitty socks?

Posted by: Facebook at March 11, 2013 03:29 PM (8ZskC)

27 thanks for the escape from the Judd thread, Purp. so Purp is related to Ace?

Posted by: L, elle at March 11, 2013 03:29 PM (0PiQ4)

28 I actually had to stop fucking the houseboy to delete them all.

Posted by: zsasz at March 11, 2013 07:28 PM (MMC8r)

That's not from data mining. There is a camera in your cable converter.

Posted by: Ook? at March 11, 2013 03:30 PM (OQpzc)

29 I don't use Farcebook either; don't want to tempt teh kittehs to "like" other online kittehs (or doggehs with a bi-speciesist orientation).

Posted by: Basement Cat at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (Xu0WZ)

30
Things like this are why I don't have Facebook or use Google. I'm sure eventually they'd realize I'm a tax evading, government loathing, speed limit ignoring scofflaw in need of a drone strike.

Posted by: kathysaysso at March 11, 2013 07:22 PM (6H6o

Like Ace of Spades isn't monitored? No soup for you!

Posted by: Eye in the Sky at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (NFVkx)

31 weird, I kind of know the Microsoft Research guy who co-authored the paper. Not that he would know me from a hill of beans, but I have met him.

Posted by: ParanoidGirlInSeattle at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (RZ8pf)

32 Strangely, my fake Facebook persona was much more popular than my real Facebook persona. His name? DICK BACON

Posted by: Truman North at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (+JzGj)

33 Facebook is the bomb! Whenever a chick "likes" one of my pictures I know she's craving for my salami!

Posted by: Icedog at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (3qKP/)

I would think that Janet Napolitano would appreciate my taste in porn stralets.

Posted by: garrett at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (g6gQo)

35 Instant popularity

Posted by: Truman North at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (+JzGj)

36 I thought about a phony Facebook presence. Then thought better. If the enjoyment of my life is dependent upon reading the minutia of other peoples lives then I'd rather not live. I'd rather not bore them with my life and I sure as hell don't want to hear about the crap they think is important. Bonus: No need to de-friend liberals.

Posted by: Regular Moron [/i] at March 11, 2013 03:31 PM (feFL6)

37 Never did Facebook. Probably shouldn't have done those Yahoo searches on making homemade nuclear devices though.

Just make sure you keep those uranium purchases offline and you should be fine.

Posted by: Joe Wilson at March 11, 2013 03:32 PM (hO9ad)

28...There is a camera in your cable converter.

Ahah! I knew it!

I've suspected this for a long time.

Posted by: wheatie at March 11, 2013 03:32 PM (2xMNt)

39 DICK BACON Okay, like! No, just kidding.

Posted by: Grumpy Cat at March 11, 2013 03:32 PM (j3uk1)

40 matter of time before a series of searches days apart can be linked together to paint a nefarious picture of your intentions. (if it isn't already happening)

Posted by: ParanoidGirlInSeattle at March 11, 2013 07:29 PM (RZ8pf)

I search lots of weird stuff I hear about here. I figure they must think this computer is owned by a pervy commune of astrophysicists.

Posted by: Ook? at March 11, 2013 03:33 PM (OQpzc)

41 Bonus: No need to de-friend liberals.

You're missing out on free Whoppers.

Posted by: Burger King at March 11, 2013 03:33 PM (8ZskC)

42 ParanoidGirlInSeattle

I kind of know the Microsoft Research guy

In the Biblical sense?

Posted by: Paladin at March 11, 2013 03:33 PM (h7wab)

43 I think about this data mining every time I do internet searches.

I've seen Google searches feed into YouTube sidebar sidebar selections...

I was using Google to search for OS/2 drivers for various hardware, and suddenly YouTube's sidebar was full of OS/2 related videos, which couldn't possibly be some sort of random event.

Posted by: @PurpAv at March 11, 2013 03:34 PM (balEU)

44 I search lots of weird stuff I hear about here. I figure they must think this computer is owned by a pervy commune of astrophysicists.

Posted by: Ook? at March 11, 2013 07:33 PM (OQpzc)

Or you're a HQ moron violating Rule #1.

Posted by: Tami[/i] at March 11, 2013 03:34 PM (X6akg)

45 "43 ParanoidGirlInSeattle I kind of know the Microsoft Research guy In the Biblical sense? Posted by: Paladin at March 11, 2013 07:33 PM (h7wab) " Yeah, that must be it...

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at March 11, 2013 03:34 PM (C3R9m)

46 I think about this data mining every time I do internet searches. It is only a matter of time before a series of searches days apart can be linked together to paint a nefarious picture of your intentions.

All the terrorists have to do is convince DHS that "busty lesbian" is code for bilogical weapons and they'll win.

Posted by: Methos at March 11, 2013 03:34 PM (hO9ad)

47 Sounds like rape to me.

Posted by: GnuBreed at March 11, 2013 03:34 PM (ccXZP)

48 36 Amen brother.

Posted by: wattyler1381 at March 11, 2013 03:35 PM (F2Vrz)

"It is only a matter of time before a series of searches days apart can be linked together to paint a nefarious picture of your intentions."

For the record, all those searches for 'Japanese Cosplay' were just typos....I was actually searching for "Jalepeno Cornbread" recipes. Damn, fat fingers.

Posted by: Icedog at March 11, 2013 03:35 PM (ZolUS)

50 Now you F*king tell me. Well those searches from the last thread are going to be interesting tidbits for some computer to chew on.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose DOOMCASTER! at March 11, 2013 03:35 PM (0q2P7)

51 searches days apart can be linked together to paint a nefarious picture of your intentions

Division of pre-crime.

Posted by: @PurpAv at March 11, 2013 03:36 PM (balEU)

Note to those who are following the Prenda case:

Popehat tweeted:

>>Holy shit. Did not disappoint. Wow. Write up tonight.

>>writing ASAP. First must have womb installed so I can have Judge Wright's babies.

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 11, 2013 03:36 PM (SUKHu)

53 Forget SMOD. I'm this close to begging for a massive EMP strike.
Posted by: mongo78 at March 11, 2013 07:22 PM (2b46R)

Hey, now, I'm convinced (read: desperately begging it happens) that dear old Sol is storing up all it's energy to nail us with a massive solar flare that will burn us all to bits ala Knowing. So we've got that to look forward to.

Reading this post made me ponder that Amazon knows exactly who I am and what I like in really creepy detail. That, of course, made me go to Amazon where I decided to read the SimCity reviews to see how bad it is. Single player game with exclusively server side saves? What. The. Actual. Fuck. That's like total commitment to fucking over your customer base.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Totes waiting until after March Madness. at March 11, 2013 03:36 PM (Gk3SS)

54 If the enjoyment of my life is dependent upon reading the minutia of other peoples lives then I'd rather not live. I'd rather not bore them with my life and I sure as hell don't want to hear about the crap they think is important.

I'm guessing you skip the ONT.

Posted by: Methos at March 11, 2013 03:36 PM (hO9ad)

55 44 Google and Youtube are One.

Posted by: zsasz at March 11, 2013 03:37 PM (MMC8r)

56 Popehat tweeted:

>>Holy shit. Did not disappoint. Wow. Write up tonight.

>>writing ASAP. First must have womb installed so I can have Judge Wright's babies.

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 11, 2013 07:36 PM (SUKHu)

Should I go Google Popehat? Or will I end up on a 'list' somewhere?

Posted by: Tami[/i] at March 11, 2013 03:37 PM (X6akg)

Ha!

Dick Bacon.

Posted by: burninghotpee at March 11, 2013 03:37 PM (LoejD)

One day, voting will be conducted by Facebook Likes.

Posted by: President Sybilant Esses at March 11, 2013 03:38 PM (pAgI8)

59 Google and Youtube are One.

I knew that, I didn't realize they were cross-pollinating search data though

Posted by: @PurpAv at March 11, 2013 03:38 PM (balEU)

44...I've seen Google searches feed into YouTube sidebar sidebar selections...

I've noticed that YouTube also puts up videos in the sidebar that it thinks you might like...based, I guess, on ones that you've watched.

It puts up videos that are totally unrelated to the one you're looking at, and inserts a...'Recommended For You'...tag, below the title.

Posted by: wheatie at March 11, 2013 03:39 PM (2xMNt)

61 Grumpy Cat is gettin paid.Just got a sweet cat food contract.

Posted by: steevy at March 11, 2013 03:39 PM (9XBK2)

62 Or you're a HQ moron violating Rule #1.

Posted by: Tami at March 11, 2013 07:34 PM (X6akg)

It took months of searching hot venezualen models before yahoo quit showing ads for gay dating sites after I searched lemon party. Still, I gotta know. I think I'm part cat.

Posted by: Ook? at March 11, 2013 03:39 PM (OQpzc)

Popehat is the name of a blog, Popehat dot com.

Very amusing.

The Prenda case is about some nasty lawyers who might just get what's coming to them.

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 11, 2013 03:39 PM (SUKHu)

64 "60 Google and Youtube are One. I knew that, I didn't realize they were cross-pollinating search data though Posted by: @PurpAv at March 11, 2013 07:38 PM (balEU) " Google is (pretty close to being) evil. Of course they would be.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at March 11, 2013 03:39 PM (C3R9m)

65 Well, I don't "like" nothin.

Posted by: The littl shyning man at March 11, 2013 03:40 PM (PH+2B)

66 You morons who use facebook and google should stop posting pictures of Ashley Judd and searching for puffy, rape, and fistula. Its only a matter of time before there's a SWAT team breaking down the door.

Posted by: angel with a sword at March 11, 2013 03:40 PM (3RiPs)

67 Rule #1? No. Wait. I was not asking a question there. The Horde is blessed to have a number of "canaries". Not the singing kind. The kind in a mine. There are a number of us that if you notice we all go "missing" within a short period, it's time to grab your go bag.

Posted by: teej at March 11, 2013 03:40 PM (pQdNP)

It puts up videos that are totally unrelated to the one you're looking at, and inserts a...'Recommended For You'...tag, below the title.

Posted by: wheatie at March 11, 2013 07:39 PM (2xMNt)

I know. NSFW content shows up at the most inopportune moments.

Posted by: Hey-Zeus at March 11, 2013 03:40 PM (rQs7E)

69 I wonder if they were alarmed at the number of individual users searching 'Potato Ricer'.

Posted by: garrett at March 11, 2013 03:41 PM (g6gQo)

70 Whoever uses the word "fistula" on Facebook is obviously Ashley Judd.

Posted by: Marmo at March 11, 2013 03:41 PM (pcgW1)

71 Naw, I don't know that particular Microsoft Research guy in the biblical sense. Swearsies.

Posted by: ParanoidGirlInSeattle at March 11, 2013 03:41 PM (RZ8pf)

72 "67 You morons who use facebook and google should stop posting pictures of Ashley Judd and searching for puffy, rape, and fistula. Its only a matter of time before there's a SWAT team breaking down the door. Posted by: angel with a sword at March 11, 2013 07:40 PM (3RiPs) " That would be like rape.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at March 11, 2013 03:41 PM (C3R9m)

73 Hey, now, I'm convinced (read: desperately begging it happens) that dear old Sol is storing up all it's energy to nail us with a massive solar flare that will burn us all to bits ala Knowing. So we've got that to look forward to.

Press B to charge, then what?

Posted by: Mum-Ra at March 11, 2013 03:41 PM (hO9ad)

"I'm guessing you skip the ONT."

Nice. But in all fairness, the level of discourse on the ONT is more entertaining and informative than 95% of the crap you'd ever see on FB.

...plus, I would never have learned about things you can do with hobos and sterno on FB.

Posted by: Icedog at March 11, 2013 03:41 PM (ZolUS)

75 Based on my research, Ashley Judd's Facebook likes imply she is either a drooling retard or a fan of rape.

Posted by: Grumpy Cat at March 11, 2013 03:42 PM (j3uk1)

76 ...storing up all it's energy to nail us with a massive solar flare that will burn us all to bits...

Read that also. Towards the end of 2013 as I recall. Should put us out of our misery after the mid-term elections. No wait, they're 2014...gee it's only been 4 months? Feels like years already.

Posted by: Paladin at March 11, 2013 03:42 PM (h7wab)

77 Yeah, like I'm going to comment on this thread.

Posted by: andycanuck at March 11, 2013 03:43 PM (ORGYc)

78 51 Now you F*king tell me. Well those searches from the last thread are going to be interesting tidbits for some computer to chew on. --------- Indeed.

Posted by: Echelon at March 11, 2013 03:43 PM (xGZ+b)

79 "76 Based on my research, Ashley Judd's Facebook likes imply she is either a drooling retard or a fan of rape. Posted by: Grumpy Cat at March 11, 2013 07:42 PM (j3uk1) " Ashley Judd likes to rape retards. Data mining confirms it.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at March 11, 2013 03:43 PM (C3R9m)

80 Doh!

Posted by: andycanuck at March 11, 2013 03:43 PM (ORGYc)

81 Combine bleach and brake fluid. Fun times...

Posted by: Tilikum the Killer Assault Whale at March 11, 2013 03:44 PM (uhftQ)

82 Grumpy Cat is gettin paid. Just got a sweet cat food contract.

Now there's a thought-- my kitteh who likes to watch Mets games should audition for a gig chasing Mr. Met around the bases during seventh-inning stretch. Couldn't be any weirder than some of the other stuff that happens in Citi Field.

Posted by: Basement Cat at March 11, 2013 03:44 PM (Xu0WZ)

83 The sun may be planning on raping the Earth with a huge coronal mass ejection.

Posted by: Marmo at March 11, 2013 03:45 PM (pcgW1)

84 Shit, and I googled insurrection. I guess I am as some would say here fooked.

Posted by: wattyler1381 at March 11, 2013 03:45 PM (F2Vrz)

85 50 For the record, all those searches for 'Japanese Cosplay' were just typos....I was actually searching for "Jalepeno Cornbread" recipes. Damn, fat fingers. ------ Just blame autocorrect. Everyone else does.

Posted by: Pete Townshend, noted internet researcher at March 11, 2013 03:45 PM (xGZ+b)

>>Yeah, like I'm going to comment on this thread.

It's okay. Posting once won't get you on any lists.

Posted by: List Makers at March 11, 2013 03:46 PM (SUKHu)

87 Maybe that would be called a huge coronal mass ejaculation...

Ewww!

Posted by: Marmo at March 11, 2013 03:46 PM (pcgW1)

>>Doh!

Now I can tell you're a male Canadian.

Posted by: List Makers at March 11, 2013 03:47 PM (SUKHu)

89 84 The sun may be planning on raping the Earth with a huge coronal mass ejection. Sandra Fluke demands NASA provide the Earth with a free planet-sized diaphragm.

Posted by: Grumpy Cat at March 11, 2013 03:47 PM (j3uk1)

90 If you give me six 'likes' clicked by the mouse of the most honest of men, I will find something there to hang him.

Posted by: zombie cardinal richelieu at March 11, 2013 03:47 PM (ORGYc)

91 Now I can tell you're a male Canadian.
Doh!
Uh, I mean "Huh?"

Posted by: andycanuck at March 11, 2013 03:49 PM (ORGYc)

92 The sun may be planning on raping the Earth with a huge coronal mass ejection.

Otherwise known as an assault flare.

Posted by: Basement Cat at March 11, 2013 03:50 PM (Xu0WZ)

93 I was looking for LEBANESE!

Posted by: zsasz at March 11, 2013 03:52 PM (MMC8r)

94 This is a great blog post! Keep up the good work!

Posted by: puffy fistula epub at March 11, 2013 03:53 PM (JDIKC)

95 so it's a good thing I never hit the "like" button. Thought so. Much better sharing opinions at secure sites like this one.

Posted by: mallfly at March 11, 2013 03:53 PM (bJm7W)

96 This smart military blog could use an FU button.

Posted by: Marmo at March 11, 2013 03:55 PM (pcgW1)

97 I have proof Andy is not really Canadian....far too few "ay's" on the end of his sentences.

Posted by: Icedog at March 11, 2013 03:56 PM (ZolUS)

98 I think the gerbils went on strike for a bit.

Posted by: Ronster at March 11, 2013 04:18 PM (pDjY6)

99 Or, would the be Hamsters?

Posted by: Ronster at March 11, 2013 04:19 PM (pDjY6)

100 Start "liking" all sorts of odd things...especially things about kittehs...to throw them off the trail.

Posted by: Anon at March 11, 2013 04:34 PM (f+fIu)

101 Who gave Microsoft permission to use this data? Were individuals provided informed consent?

Why is a software company doing this, anyway?

Posted by: Anon at March 11, 2013 04:39 PM (f+fIu)

102 Yeah, my facebook behavior profile probably sets off alarms at the NSA.

Posted by: Whatev at March 11, 2013 04:41 PM (A7Wh1)

103

jesus christ, tell us something we don't already know. any moron can tell they do this by watching what ads pop up after you make a comment. comment about puppies? puppy and dog stuff pops up.

wow. big fucking deal.

Posted by: Dogstar at March 11, 2013 05:13 PM (2MnmS)

104 Why hello there!

Posted by: Narhwal at March 11, 2013 05:21 PM (Vk2pI)

105 Oh please facebook is small potato's compared to the data gathered every time you shop using your debit or credit card online or at the local Wal-mart. Google reads your emails and every single website you visit drop's tracking cookies, have smart phone use any app's on it? Did you read the ULA? It says they can use the data GPS tracking etc in any way they want. Understand this is the information age and privacy does not exist it is an illusion.

Posted by: Oldcrow at March 11, 2013 05:43 PM (UHU2x)

106 There are ways to specifically screw with some data miners. I dunno about FaceBook(which I think is stupid) but browser-addons like TrackMeNot don't try to hide you. Yes, do whatever you can to 'hide'. But also annoy them directly

TMN sends random searches to whatever search engine(s) you use. So if yer worried about Google wondering about that search you did about weaponizing necrophiliac bestiality, have no fear. I got a robot doing a search for 'Jovian planets were more' or 'Northern Great Lakes Visitor'. Sigh, I'm not associated with TMN at all. blah blah. I enjoy it because it frustrates their AI.

Posted by: Keapon Laffin at March 11, 2013 11:38 PM (Tgz0K)

107 So now you tell me that a google search for genetically altering Democrats to make them impotent and intertile is a bad idea. Doublly bad, since it returned "redundant" anyway. If I were on Facebook, there would be a SWAT team at the door, for sure.

Posted by: MarkD at March 12, 2013 05:26 PM (+xUiW)

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