Privacy on the Web

[+ Lucky]

In another forum, the owner of the website stated:

Did you know that with three pieces of information, that a researcher has found that there is an 87% chance that you can be identified? arstechnica

• Zipcode
  
• Sex
  
• Birth Date
  

 

__________________

I find this fascinating and wonder if he or someone else knowledgeable would elaborate. The first two are easy, and there are many sites that ask for your birthdate, often implying that they want it to send you birthday greetings. Even here, we are often wishing someone a happy birthday- thus revealing that third part needed to ID them.

So, with this information, can the exact individual be identified? What use is this put to by those discovering it? Is there any privacy online?

 

(The link to Arstechnica leads you to a fascinating insight on this.)

[+ purplekow]

I don't usually lie about my age but on sign in sheets for web sites, I always do. I also use the Zip code of my business. For Sex I usually put "Love to"

[Guest greatness]

I do too

 

I lie about my age something like in early twenties.. Yeah right. For sex I don't do that. lol..You are so witty.

 

For Sex I usually put "Love to"