untangling_the_web

DID: 4046925
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Both the original CNET article and the Newsfactor article 224 make a good case for
why users should either not register at sites such as Google, Yahoo, AOL, Live
Search, and A9. However, if you do register, then you should consider using one
browser for web searches and another for services such as the search engine's
email, toolbar, instant messaging, etc. While there are no known abuses of this
information as of now, who knows what the future holds or, worse, what could
happen if unscrupulous persons got their hands on this data. This is something to
keep in mind, especially when using search engines in the workplace.
Take Care with ZabaSearch
A new people search service called ZabaSearch opened during 2005 and caused an
immediate firestorm. This was somewhat surprising given that it is only one more
among many such sites offering personal data, but ZabaSearch has been the
catalyst for a lot of anger and frustration about our ever-shrinking privacy. One
reason ZabaSearch garnered so much attention is because it is offering some of its
tantalizing data for free, unlike most services that charge for the same information.
But the main reason ZabaSearch captured so much attention is it is the focus of one
of those panicky emails warning people about its dangers. While the essence of the
email is true.Jt is misleading because it encourages people to think ZabaSearch is
something new, special, or unique. If one were truly cynical, one might even suspect
ZabaSearch of being behind those spam mailings as a way of getting people to ask
to have their data removed.
I need to emphasize this: do not try to have your data removed from
ZabaSearch. ZabaSearch says:
"If you are interested in creating, editing or deleting records, please submit a
valid e-mail address below and we will send you specific instructions on how to
do that. Please make sure you can receive e-mail from the ZabaSearch.com
domain to insure you receive our reply.,,225
People who have tried to remove their information from ZabaSearch have
discovered that ZabaSearch demands they provide even more detailed information
about themselves than ZabaSearch already has access to (purportedly on the
grounds that they have to ensure you are really who you claim to be). ZabaSearch
does not view itself as responsible for the information it provides because it does not
own that information. All of ZabaSearch's data comes from public databases
224 Jack M. Germain, "Google Has Your Data: Should You Be Afraid?" Newsfactor Network, 17
August 2005, (15 November 2006).
225 ZabaTools, ZabaSearch.com, (14 November 2006).
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