From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Fri Jul 26 2002 - 18:12:13 MDT
On Friday, July 26, 2002, at 05:30 pm, Rafal Smigrodzki wrote:
> ### What is the difference between "actual information" and a
> "profile"? Is
> gender "actual" or "profile"? (this is an important question)
If my data record at the airport shows me to be male, that would be
"actual information" about me. It would be based on an actual
observation that I am male. This information would be transferred from
me by observation and transferred along until it eventually was recorded
in my data record.
If my data record at the airport shows me to be female, that would not
be "actual information" about me. Imagine if they didn't know my
gender. Looking up a profile would show that there are more females
than males. Statistically speaking, I am more likely to female than
male. Someone could extrapolate a profile for me that I am "probably"
female. This would be information from profile statistics that gets
recorded in my data record. In such an instance, there is no actual
information from me or about me that contributed to this decision.
> Again, I must ask. Why are some people pushing so hard for group-based
> judgments?
>
> ### Because it works, at least if you use the phrase as I do.
Do you have any evidence that it works? Professionals in my field don't
think it works. The article posted by Hal says a study shows it doesn't
work. El Al doesn't using profiling, presumably because they don't
think it works. So what makes you think it works? (Other than your
desire for it to?)
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP <www.HarveyNewstrom.com> Principal Security Consultant <www.Newstaff.com>
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