Search Engine Raises Privacy Concerns

None — A new online search engine has some people concerned that information they thought was private is now just a mouse click away.

Jeremy Traver said he spends up to three hours a day on the Internet at his home in southeast Charlotte, using it to shop, stay informed and socialize. He said he worries about keeping his private information confidential.

"It's a big concern. You don't know what's out there," Traver said.

He said he was shocked when he searched his name on Spokeo, a site that boasts "it's not your grandma's phone book."

The search engine can provide addresses, ages, incomes, political views, religions, home values and contact information.

"That's my e-mail right there so if they want to e-mail me, they can," Traver said while looking at the site. He was also disturbed to learn that the website lists names of family members, such as children and parents.

"That's actually where my dad lives -- that's his name right there," Traver said. "He is a Sagittarius. Wow."

Some of the information on the site is free, while other parts require a subscription.

Whistleblower 9's Scott Wickersham showed the website to Aaron Toscano, an assistant professor at UNC Charlotte who teaches a course in new media and technology. Toscano said a lot of the information comes from public sources and from social websites, such as Facebook, that can sell information.

"Using these media technologies is a form of surveillance that we actively put ourselves on," Toscano said. "You can find my level of income, where I live. And that could lead to identity theft."

Toscano and Wickersham searched a random name on Spokeo and tracked down a person named John in Alaska. They found out when his birthday is, that he has a graduate degree and is a clerical workers and that he is a Protestant. The site also had a picture of him, his friends and his home.

"You could look at, ‘Are there bushes? Easy places to attack? Can I hide behind the house? How close are the neighbors?'" Toscano said.

Despite the safety and privacy concerns, Tuscano said he doubts these types of search engines are going away.

After Traver saw all of this information on the site, he took advantage of an option to have his personal details taken out of the database. (To do so, users can click on "Privacy" at the bottom of the page.) He said he will now be more careful about what he shares online.

A Spokeo representative said the information on the site is public and that it doesn't give out things like Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers or bank account information. It also doesn't list information for children under 18.

WSOC