Path: utzoo!attcan!telly!problem!compus!lethe!yunexus!ists!helios.physics.utoronto.ca!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!linac!midway!gargoyle!igloo!glr
From: glr@igloo.scum.com (Glen Roberts)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Lotus Marketplace
Summary: What about the Census Deptartment?
Message-ID: <3053@igloo.scum.com>
Date: 24 Nov 90 16:14:47 GMT
Organization: Igloo, Public access Unix, Northbrook IL
Lines: 15


   With all this discussion about the LOTUS databse, I am surprised
   that no one has mentioned the Census Bureau. They come to your house,
   force you to answer questions (actually, I sent them a letter saying,
   I wouldn't cooperate and am still waiting for them to come and try
   to collect their hundred bucks). Then, even though they claim the
   answers will be kept confidential, they create a statistical profile
   for your ``census blocks'' 20 to 100 homes and sell the results to
   whoever wants them. Criminals, the IRS, Draft Registration board,
   and of course direct marketers. So, even if you don't answer, you
   will be classified based upon the income, lifestyle, etc, of your
   nearby neighbors.

   The Lotus database, at least was compiled from information YOU
   gave out to someone voluntarily