User Data Stolen From Pornographic Web Sites… Uh – Oh!!
I KNEW I shouldn’t have signed up at Chix-Horses-Watersports-Spank me-Highheels.com using my real email address!!
– Consumers of Internet pornography who secretly signed up for memberships on adult-oriented Web sites in the past few months may be in for a shock — some of their personal information, including e-mail addresses, may have been compromised by a security breach.
Though the breach, which potentially could affect tens of thousands of customers, reportedly did not involve the theft of credit card information, it could nonetheless have a significant impact on the lucrative Internet pornography industry, according to those who monitor the market. These observers note that online porn relies, as much as anything else, on the promise that its customers can enjoy complete anonymity as they indulge their favorite niche pastimes from the privacy of their own computers.
The breach has raised serious alarm in the world of adult-oriented Web sites, with many concerned about the effect on customers if they learn that their most secret transactions are not so secret after all.
Customers may also be more reluctant to report a problem when the issue involved is online pornography. “Would you really want someone out there to know you surf porn sites, and the hardcore bondage stuff?” said Kimmel. “The guy out there buying a membership for his own personal pleasure has no clue.”
Information | TheFourEyes January 5, 2008
