The AOL Privacy Scandal's Disturbing Search Results
For a time, AOL was intent on creating a huge database containing what types of things people usually search for. When the operation was revealed, AOL apologized, removed the file, but not in time. 21 Million search queries is what the file contains, and with a number like that, you know you're going to see a great variety in what people like to search for. Love, revenge, material things, all of the usual stuff is there, mixed with some other things you may or may not expect.
"That database does not include names or user identities. Instead, it lists only a unique ID number for each user. What that means is that it's possible to view the search terms that users of a single account typed in while using AOL Search during a three-month period. (Google, Yahoo, and MSN Search aren't included.)"
