AOL Releases Private User Search Queries

NEW YORK — Responding to an apparent privacy breakdown, AOL has apologized for releasing search queries generated by more than 650,000 of its users.

Word of the information leak spread like wildfire on the Internet when blogs began linking to a database of search queries compiled by the Time Warner-owned company over the past three months.

A research unit inside of AOL released the data — which the company maintains was supposed to remain private — in late July. Shortly after the release, blogs, lead by TechCrunch.com, began linking to the study, which consists of more than 20 million search queries.

AOL spokesman Andrew Weinsten apologized on behalf of the company.

"This was a screw up, and we're angry and upset about it," Weinstein said. "It was an innocent-enough attempt to reach out to the academic community with new research tools, but it was obviously not appropriately vetted, and if it had been, it would have been stopped in an instant."

AOL is actively trying to determine precisely how the information was leaked to the public, Weinstein said.

According to attorney Jason Epstein, the disclosure, though embarrassing, probably did not violate AOL’s own privacy policy.

"This is more of a business snafu than anything else," Epstein said.

While AOL may not have a legal problem arising out of the leak, it certainly has created a breach of trust with its users, according to several bloggers who linked to the study.

“If you searched for something on AOL this year, you might want to think about what keywords you used and which links you clicked on," blogger Matthew Gifford said.

According to TechCrunch, none of the queries included users’ identities. However, many users conducted so-called “vanity queries,” typing in their own names.

"Combine these ego searches with porn queries and you have a serious embarrassment,” TechCrunch blogger Michael Arrington said. “Combine them with ‘buy ecstasy’ and you have evidence of a crime. Combine it with an address, social security number, etc. and you have an identity theft waiting to happen. The possibilities are endless."

The link to the actual file containing the searches in question is no longer available on AOL’s website.

In March, federal Judge James Ware ordered Google to submit 50,000 random website addresses to the U.S. Department of Justice. Many privacy experts had praised Google for taking a stand against the government’s efforts to resurrect the 1998 Child Online Protection Act. In the same case, Ware, citing privacy concerns, declined to give the government access to 5,000 Internet queries the government had requested to build a database of online search habits.

AOL’s recent leak effectively gives the world access to more than 650,000 similar queries, a CNET blog said.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More