Worth noting: combining different databases is generally regarded as the single most dangerous thing to do from a privacy perspective. Here's what Paul Ohm wrote a few years ago (https://hbr.org/2012/08/dont-build-a-database-of-ruin):
In my work, I’ve argued that these databases will grow to connect every individual to at least one closely guarded secret. This might be a secret about a medical condition, family history, or personal preference. It is a secret that, if revealed, would cause more than embarrassment or shame; it would lead to serious, concrete, devastating harm. And these companies are combining their data stores, which will give rise to a single, massive database. I call this the Database of Ruin.
https://flipboard.com/@newyorktimes/the-upshot-imovb8bqz/-/a-pvsZrW8uTLKxDaAmALYvXw%3Aa%3A3195393-%2F0
Steve Bellovin /
npub1rt…nashz
2025-04-09 16:05:03
Author Public Key
npub1rt8xs3e8gkexg2f5cctjckv57hcffuqaad6jz3wj2gj7vdag0fgqwnashzPublished at
2025-04-09 16:05:03Event JSON
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"content": "Worth noting: combining different databases is generally regarded as the single most dangerous thing to do from a privacy perspective. Here's what Paul Ohm wrote a few years ago (https://hbr.org/2012/08/dont-build-a-database-of-ruin):\n\nIn my work, I’ve argued that these databases will grow to connect every individual to at least one closely guarded secret. This might be a secret about a medical condition, family history, or personal preference. It is a secret that, if revealed, would cause more than embarrassment or shame; it would lead to serious, concrete, devastating harm. And these companies are combining their data stores, which will give rise to a single, massive database. I call this the Database of Ruin.\nhttps://flipboard.com/@newyorktimes/the-upshot-imovb8bqz/-/a-pvsZrW8uTLKxDaAmALYvXw%3Aa%3A3195393-%2F0",
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