Finding information.

[kryptos]

I always see movies where people seem to be able to find information about anyone on the internet. Is this true? And if so, how is it done?

[rekstout]

I know that if you type an american telephone number into google you will get their name and address back - quite useful and something many people don't know and would be quite perturbed about

[lisaj]

In the UK, data protection laws dictate that you own any information about you and can have it removed from anybody's databases. In the US, data belongs to whoever holds it - if your next door neighbour were to collect every tiny detail of your life and publish it there would be absolutely nothing you could do about it. As a result, it's far easier to find information in the US.

Now, in terms of the specifics, one can find a lot of information using 'detective' style means, tying together usernames in different forums, tracking people with cookies, friendsreunited, etc. etc. If you're thinking of control such as that depicted in 'The Net', then no, that's just movie bull...

[Pinotage]

A couple of years ago I was teaching web classes. At the start I'd ask students to introduce themselves. From that I got their name and which town they were from. While they were doing labs I tried to find out what I could. Then at some later stage I'd say something, like 'Tell me John, does the school behing your house make much noise - still it useful being so near to the rail station." etc.

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From 192.com you can often find peoples address and phone. Then you can use Streetmap to get a map showing where their house is. Using 192 you can find the names of others living at the same address, neighbours etc etc.

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Its a lot harder in the UK than the US, but its possible.

[xyzzyplugh]

So where online can we access the electoral roll? Library service maybe, anywhere else online?

[xyzzyplugh]

All the shops and services who ask you for your postcode and street number; then they know 'everything' is this database available online? as a download? (costs a fortune right?]