When There Is No Cover, Will You Be Judged By The Book?

You know the saying: "Don't judge a book by its cover." The word "book" doesn't mean what it used to. Today, many people listen to books on their iPods, and read books on devices like the Amazon Kindle, and Sony Reader. Even Barnes & Noble announced this week that they're getting back into the game.

No surprise, Google would like their piece of the action as well. And, that's got the EFF concerned. Unlike traditional sources of literature, a person reading an e-book can unwittingly produce nearly as much information as they consume.

In some respects, reading an e-book could be analogous to buying a used college textbook, and reselling it after you're done. The previous owner might have highlighted important information and made some notes in the margins. As a second-hand-reader, you may even find these notations provide some valuable insight--not just into the book, but into it's previous owner as well. By the time you're ready to sell-back the book, you may have added even more notes and highlighted some additional paragraphs. Perhaps, making the book even more valuable to its next owner.

In much the same way, as an individual reads an electronic book, additional research--like online searches related to the subject matter, can be recorded on a server revealing significant insight into the mindset of the reader. Whereas, the process of reading involves a one-way flow of information, from the book to the brain, online, so much more occurs behind the scenes.

The biggest difference between the notations made on paper, and those recorded online, is that the online reader has no control over (or even knowledge of) what data is being observed, collected, preserved and cross-referenced, for how long, and with whom it is shared.

At this point, it's reasonable to note that Google, arguably, already controls the world's largest database with which to cross-reference your personal habits and interests.

You wouldn't, for example, likely volunteer every book or magazine you ever read in college to your next prospective employer (or your next date, for that matter). Sure, your résumé might say, "well read", but you're referring to Faulkner, not Hefner. Google, on the other hand, knows, not only what you searched for and read on it's Google Books web site, but also what pages you read. So, if you read the Starr Report because you're "really into politics" but you skipped to the best part, you're BUSTED!

Before you read your next (or first) electronic book, read this:

EFF: Don't Let Google Close the Book on Reader Privacy

About Jeff M. Fischbach

Jeff Michael Fischbach is founder and President of SecondWave Information Systems (SecondWave.com), a consulting firm specializing in Forensic Technology. Since 1994, he has served as a board member and technology adviser to numerous professional organizations and corporations. Mr. Fischbach has been engaged as a litigation consultant and Forensic Examiner, offering expert advice and oversight on matters involving intellectual property, computers, information systems, satellite, tracking and wireless communications technologies. He has advised law enforcement, foreign government representatives, judges, lawyers and the press.