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===Search Data Scandal===

===Search Data Scandal===

AOL faced another class action law suit in 2006. The complainants alleged that the company conducted violations of privacy, false advertising and unjust enrichment by releasing 20 million search records from approximately 658, 000 members for a period of three months. AOL's action allowed anyone to see what each person is searching including their sensitive information such as credit card, telephone and social security numbers. AOL Search Data Release became a privacy scandal and the company's Chief Technology Officer resigned immediately. In addition,the company took steps to improve their privacy policy.<ref>

AOL faced another class action law suit in 2006 after releasing 20 million search records from approximately 658, 000 members for a period of three months. The complainants alleged that the company violated the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and conducted fraudulent and deceptive business practices such as false advertising and unjust enrichment.  AOL's action allowed anyone to see what each person is searching including their sensitive information such as credit card, telephone and social security numbers. AOL Search Data Release became a privacy scandal and the company's Chief Technology Officer resigned immediately. In addition,the company took steps to improve their privacy policy.<ref>

[http://www.pcworld.com/article/127265/aol_members_sue_over_search_data_release.html AOL Members Sue Over Search Data Release]</ref> The company apologized to the public through a statement:<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/AOL-apologizes-for-release-of-user-search-data/2100-1030_3-6102793.html?tag=mncol;txt AOL apologizes for release of user search data]</ref>

[http://www.pcworld.com/article/127265/aol_members_sue_over_search_data_release.html AOL Members Sue Over Search Data Release]</ref> The company apologized to the public through a statement:<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/AOL-apologizes-for-release-of-user-search-data/2100-1030_3-6102793.html?tag=mncol;txt AOL apologizes for release of user search data]</ref>

''"This was a screw-up, and we're angry and upset about it. 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.Although there was no personally identifiable data linked to these accounts, we're absolutely not defending this. It was a mistake, and we apologize. We've launched an internal investigation into what happened, and we are taking steps to ensure that this type of thing never happens again."''

''"This was a screw-up, and we're angry and upset about it. 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.Although there was no personally identifiable data linked to these accounts, we're absolutely not defending this. It was a mistake, and we apologize. We've launched an internal investigation into what happened, and we are taking steps to ensure that this type of thing never happens again."''