It had to happen. Someone has found a way to share personal data between websites without technically invading privacy laws. Microsoft is going to let Bebo, Facebook and LinkedIn all share their data, with others no doubt coming on fast. Facebook and Bebo are going live as I type.

 I was having dinner with Microsoft and Danny Sullivan last week and Danny laughed at my take on the whole privacy issue. He said, “hey -what are you gonna do? it’s going to happen anyway!” I had to agree that it would, but maybe he was a few days ahead of me knowing just how quickly the world would change upside down. So how have they got around the presumably significant invasions on out privacy that arise from swapping personal data between companies? Well it seems that the big winner here will be Microsoft… who will get more or less everyone’s data - and then individuals have to “opt” to let other Microsoft partners see the data. But… If you want your Facebook friends and your Bebo frienmds “in-sync” then you’ll probably find yourself opting out until the cows come home until you succumb to the new world order!

 Now - don’t get me wrong - I would MUCH rather let Microsoft be the custodians of my personal data that Google. They seem to have a bit more of an idea about the dangers of having it and a bit less of an idea about how to use it against me. Still - I think the days of “free-spirits” on the Internet are numbered. Big Brother is most certainly here and the mildly amusing thing is that it is the right wing that are behind the cultural shift.

 Mildly amusing… but somewhart more alarming wouldn’t you say?

P.S. (Thanks to Engine for the tip off on this)