This work can give impression of a "big brother", but the data is there and they are accessible, namely, they can also be interpreted as parameters that facilitates knowledge.
What is Peoplemaps?
Peoplemaps is a project designed to reveal the underlying social connections, groups, and communities within a specific geographical region. The maps we produce, however, are not geographical — rather, they describe the relative orientation of communities in a city or region. Each dot represents a person (or user account), each line represents a relationship, and each color group represents a community of interest.
Communities at opposite ends of a map have the least in common. The layout of the map is determined by relationships — they act like springs, bringing people closer together. By arranging the maps in this way, they can determine how people choose to sort themselves, and study the patterns in human arrangement that arise between different cities — and we can also see patterns like segregation and other unhealthy patterns of arrangement. For specifics about the methodology and theoretical foundation, please see The Math Behind Peoplemaps.
They are using data from social networks, like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and AngelList (and are looking for more).
