Now cancelling your AOL account seems to work like a charm. In fact, it’s really only put on the dry docks.
AOL
![AOL Research Closes](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/aoprivacy1002.jpg?w=100&h=103&crop=1)
AOL Research Closes
According to Greg Linden, founder of Findory and search industry professional, the AOL subdivision for releasing the user search histories has folded.
![Who is Adhur Chowdhury?](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/chowdhury1.jpg?w=100&h=120&crop=1)
Who is Adhur Chowdhury?
Chowdhury wasn’t just “some rogue researcher” at AOL, according to his CV he was “Chief Architect.” As in, Chief Architect of Information. Among the accomplishments he achieved since May 2000, he includes:
![AOL Higherups OK’d Search Record Release](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/chowdhury.jpg?w=100&h=120&crop=1)
AOL Higherups OK’d Search Record Release
The AOL company researcher who released the data is one Abdur Chowdhury, pictured at right, looking like a douche.
![3 AOL Heads Roll After Users Search Records Released](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/govern.jpg?w=100&h=137&crop=1)
3 AOL Heads Roll After Users Search Records Released
Two weeks after AOL released the search records for 500,000 plus users and endured a public outcry, three AOL workers have left. The researcher responsible for posting the data, along with his supervisor, were fired. Chief Technology Officer Maureen Govern resigned.
![AOL’s Gold Rush Contest Strangely Parallels Legal Efforts](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/goldrushwide.jpg?w=300&h=106&crop=1)
AOL’s Gold Rush Contest Strangely Parallels Legal Efforts
Maybe this is why AOL is so eager to get those gold bars from the spammer’s backyard?
![AOL Digs For Bars of Golds in Spammer’s Backyard](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/aolgolddigger.jpg?w=300&h=101&crop=1)
AOL Digs For Bars of Golds in Spammer’s Backyard
It’s official: AOL is koo-koo for cracko puffs.
![EFF’s Talking Points For Contacting AOL on Data Leak](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/aol_biohazard_black_small.png?w=250&h=179&crop=1)
EFF’s Talking Points For Contacting AOL on Data Leak
The EFF was none too happy about the AOL Search Records Data Leak. This is exactly the sort of thing that gets them to pull their lower lip over their heads in paranoid frustration.
![AOL’s Search Leak and You](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/twilightzonebw-thumb.jpg?w=200&h=158&crop=1)
AOL’s Search Leak and You
We’ve had a lot of fun with the AOL search results leak. In fact, some people have been confused by our glee in posting some of the more hilariously depraved records. Don’t we care about privacy?
![Search AOL User Searches Like The Pros!](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/aoprivacy1001.jpg?w=100&h=103&crop=1)
Search AOL User Searches Like The Pros!
Why should we get all the fun of looking at AOL user search profiles? With these database programs people quickly scrapped together, now you can play too!
![AOL: “You’re Fired For Doing Your Job. The Lawyers Were Listening.”](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/psmcm-thumb.jpg?w=200&h=194&crop=1)
AOL: “You’re Fired For Doing Your Job. The Lawyers Were Listening.”
This site, when it all comes down to it, features the CSR as protagonist. Sometimes he’s the hero, bending company bureaucracy, flouting his own training because he feels sympathy. More often, he’s the anti-hero, speaking in circles and thwarting any attempt to get satisfaction from a customer. But it’s all about the CSR.
![AOL User Positively ID’d Based On Search History](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/thelma.jpg?w=100&h=144&crop=1)
AOL User Positively ID’d Based On Search History
NYT matched user 4417749 to Thelma Arnold, 62, of Lilburn, Ga.
![EXCLUSIVE: AOL’s John Not Paid Hush Money](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/johnataol.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
EXCLUSIVE: AOL’s John Not Paid Hush Money
Remember John? He was the other man on the phone in the AOL cancellation call heard round the world. Despite his voice being played, without his permission, over the internet, on radio and nightly news, no one’s heard a peep from him.