[nowarninglabel]

Actually, it's very different because one can passively acquire contact info this way, as opposed to actively contacting each one. Not only is it faster than social-engineering each contact, it's more palatable to those who don't want to attempt such.

[TomGullen]

Yes, but why does it actually matter if someone has your IP address?

[TazeTSchnitzel]

It can be directly linked to your address in most cases.

[mibbitier]

Sometimes you can get to the correct city in the US. Rarely can you get any further than that from an IP. In other countries you can only really be sure about the country.

[TomGullen]

In most cases? And with what accuracy?