AOL User Data and Search Queries on Rentals

In 2006, AOL released information of over 20 million search queries collected from 650,000 users over a 3 month period. AOL released the information and stated, “The goal of this collection is to provide real query log data that is based on real users. It could be used for personalization, query reformulation or other types of search research.”

A user ID replaced the username and you were able to view other searches from a particular user. For example, while running a query for “Houses for Rent”, there were 27,934 queries during the time period of March 2006 - June 2006 on AOL.

User ID 7730080 clicked on HomeRentalads.com on March 29th at 03:51:40. On April 1 at 2:40:22am they searched for “Houses for Rent” and clicked on RentClicks.com. This same user also searched on sprint cell phones, v cast, pet shops in fresno california, puppies, verison wireless free ringtones, houses for sale and free games during this same time period.

After releasing this information to the public, programmers began building applications based on this user data immediately. AOL pulled this data within days after a strong backlash from privacy groups.

Do you think search engines should release this type of information? If a user could never be identified, would this data be helpful to technologists, marketers and users?