WTF, Tickle?

   Online quiz company Tickle.com is now releasing private data, such as IQ test results, to their members by default. An e-mail received today:

Tickle is excited to introduce member profiles. Everyone's profile lists the tests they have taken and makes test scores public so you can see how you compare with other members. Plus, you can give tests star-ratings, comment on tests, and post messages for your friends.

Check out these features on your new profile: http://web.tickle.com/net/account/profile/index.html

If you aren't comfortable sharing your test scores with other members, you can choose to make your scores private. To do this, go to your profile and click "Private" beneath the score you'd like to make private.

   This is the most blatant breach of privacy in the name of marketing I've been subjected to yet.  I can understand giving users the option to make their test scores public if they choose, but to do so by default, requiring a login to change it, is ridiculous. How long will members data be public before they check whatever forgotten e-mail account they used to sign up? What if their account is now defunct?

   I don't think you thought your clever plan all the way through, Tickle. The only measure of privacy here is that it defaults to showing only your first name and last initial. Great comfort, if you have a common name.

   Well, at least I can look forward to receiving a nice e-mail from customer support that tells me my worries are groundless.