busybee fluffy rambles

So folks finally figured out what was behind that weird series of privacy emails I got: it turns out it was a privacy study being run at Princeton. It is not being run very well.

Here’s a pretty good Twitter thread about it and with more links to read: UPDATE: Unfortunately the thread has been deleted, but here’s part it preserved.

Because I’m friends with a bunch of privacy folks on here, I want to give a PSA about an oddly worded request for info about data access procedures. It’s a Princeton study, and you are under no obligation to respond. I think it’s worthwhile to outline the study and my concerns:

— Jeff Kosseff (@jkosseff) December 17, 2021

Also something to make clear:

1. This is a research study being presented as a legal inquiry and not a research study
2. The preamble of the email is an active lie
3. There are many better ways that they could have run this study

I do not appreciate having my time wasted by this nonsense.