this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2024
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Data Finds Republicans Areas Search More Frequently for Transgender Porn (lawsuit.org)
submitted 9 months ago by Gaywallet@beehaw.org to c/science@beehaw.org
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[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 9 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Genuine question: could this data be affected by the location of VPN exit points?

[–] Gaywallet@beehaw.org 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Absolutely a possibility. Depends on how often people are using VPNs, whether there's a distinct difference between political ideology and VPN usage, and the average distance to a VPN exit point. I think it's fairly safe to assume a similar distribution of VPN usage across political bounds and generally speaking geographically distributed fairly evenly, with perhaps major cities and higher educated areas using VPNs slightly more often but with the exit point also being closer to the true point of access.

[–] stalfoss@lemm.ee 4 points 9 months ago

If anything I would expect vpn exit points to be located in higher density areas where presumably internet connectivity is cheaper, and higher density areas tend to be more liberal

[–] Nollij@sopuli.xyz 2 points 9 months ago

Not just VPN, but geolocation in general. I am in Ohio, but I am often geolocated as being in Chicago due to my ISP. Similar for mobile.