[jancsika]

I'd bet that this:

"Using modern machines/VMs, C64 demoscene devs are able to create content and develop new efficient algos for the old hardware that probably wouldn't have been possible using only the old hardware alone. They can develop algos and art content using sophisticated tools and backport to the old hardware."

Is just as true today as is this:

"Using invasive data mining, insurance companies are able to make more accurate inferences about their high-risk groups that probably wouldn't have been possible using only the data they are legally allowed to use to set rates. They can use sophisticated tools offered from data brokers to make inferences and then backport them into policy changes that meet the current guidelines/regulations for the industry."

In either case I don't know enough to explain what "backporting" entails. But there's just no way insurance companies aren't using this kind of invasive data already.

[sdwisely]

> But there's just no way insurance companies aren't using this kind of invasive data already.

I declined an offer for a role exactly like this. Disgusting stuff.

[sooheon]

On the one hand I agree with you--sleuthing for information is shady, esp. if it's without consent. But more accurate pricing is a "good thing" for most people, otherwise adverse selection makes everyone worse off.