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So many online services use the proximity of phones to determine things like related persons and related accounts. Facebook is notorious for this. In one building I lived at Facebook would constantly show me the names of everyone coming in and out as "You might know this person" even though I had no idea who they were.


Airbnb as well, at least in principle, if not in implementation.

Airbnb Is Banning People Who Are ‘Closely Associated’ with Already-Banned Users - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34983871 March 2023 (119 comments)

h/t HN user dmitrygr


I have no idea how this isn’t illegal. I’ve experienced the same horrifying loss of anonymity before. People I met long ago and definitely do not want knowing my real name showing up as Instagram suggested friends.


Or people who stay next door at an Airbnb and I had a quick chat with in person, like I didn't give them any contact information nor did they give me theirs so how ...




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