In an old episode of the BBC show QI, host Sandi Toksvig shed light on the purpose of clicking on the ‘I am not a robot’ box known as captcha. Contrary to popular belief, ticking the box itself is not the main focus. Instead, it is the behavior before clicking that is analyzed.
Clicking the Captcha
According to Toksvig, the website checks factors like browsing history to determine whether the user is a genuine human or a robot. While the details of the analysis are kept secret to prevent cheating, browsing history plays a significant role. For example, if someone watched cat videos, liked a tweet about Greta Thunberg, and checked their Gmail account before engaging with the website, it would strengthen the impression that the user is human. The ‘I am not a robot’ box acts as a trigger, prompting the site to inspect the data and make its own determination.
However, Toksvig revealed that there are additional methods employed to distinguish humans from robots. One of these involves examining the user’s mouse movements on the screen. This feature, according to Toksvig, can be somewhat eerie. Essentially, by clicking on the box, users grant the website permission to scrutinize their data. If the system is still uncertain, it may present users with an additional test, such as identifying non-existent pictures of fire hydrants.
Is the Captcha Intrusive?
The surprising revelation not only left the panel on the BBC show astonished but also sparked a sense of bafflement among other broadcasters and viewers. Some expressed concerns about the potential invasion of privacy, while others questioned the legality of such practices. However, some individuals refuted these claims, suggesting that the analysis is based on mouse movement rather than browsing history, as it is easier to distinguish scripted actions or robotic patterns from human movement.
The viral response to this revelation highlighted the curiosity and unease surrounding the clicking of the ‘I am not a robot’ box. It raised important questions about privacy, data collection, and the extent to which websites may analyze user behavior.