Netflix Cancels the Netflix Prize 2

Today, Netflix announced it is canceling its plans for a second Netflix Prize contest, one that reportedly would have involved the release of more information than the first. As I argued earlier, I feared that the new contest would have put the supposedly private movie viewing and rating habits of Netflix customers at great risk, and I applaud Netflix for making a very responsible decision. No doubt, pressure from the private lawsuit and FTC investigation helped Netflix make up its mind, and both are reportedly going away as a result of today’s action.