[url]http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/03/volunteers-in-metadata-study-called-gun-stores-strip-clubs-and-more/[/url] Stanford researchers devised a way to emulate the NSA's [url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/senators-limit-nsa-snooping-us-phone-records]collection [/url] [url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/nsa-phone-records-verizon-court-order]of[/url] [url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140312/14111926555/nsa-decides-it-wants-to-hold-metadata-indefinitely-asks-fisa-court-to-reverse-decision-telling-it-to-destroy-records.shtml]citizens'[/url] [url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/23/nsa-barack-obama-phone-data-collection-illegal-privacy-board]metadata[/url] with an Android app. It allowed them access to each participant's communication data: text data, date and time, the number they called, duration of the call, etc... Here's some of the information they were able to gather:[quote]Participant A communicated with multiple local neurology groups, a specialty pharmacy, a rare condition management service, and a hotline for a pharmaceutical used solely to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis. Participant B spoke at length with cardiologists at a major medical center, talked briefly with a medical laboratory, received calls from a pharmacy, and placed short calls to a home reporting hotline for a medical device used to monitor cardiac arrhythmia. Participant C made a number of calls to a firearm store that specializes in the AR semiautomatic rifle platform. They also spoke at length with customer service for a firearm manufacturer that produces an AR line. In a span of three weeks, Participant D contacted a home improvement store, locksmiths, a hydroponics dealer, and a head shop. Participant E had a long, early morning call with her sister. Two days later, she placed a series of calls to the local Planned Parenthood location. She placed brief additional calls two weeks later, and made a final call a month after.[/quote]So the next time someone tries to justify what the NSA, GCHQ, and other rogue organisations do because "it's just metadata" they're collecting and analysing, or "it's not sensitive", call them on their bullshit and tell them to shut up. The collection of metadata such as this so as not to supposedly violate privacy is such utter crap; it's a smokescreen that permits the government to pry into every facet of your life.