Google has invented a system for monitoring the habits of online gamers. The technology is intended to track gaming habits in order to make in-game advertising more relevant to users. It's targeted at all online platforms, including Wii.

Apparently our playing habits can reveal all sorts of information about us. The way we behave in a game can be used to draw up a profile of our psychological characteristics, and this data can then be used to sell us stuff.

The system was patented in the US and Europe last month, although Google say they have no plans to roll it out in the near future. Privacy campaigners have deep concerns about the system, pointing out that while Google's ideas may be relatively benign, the information may not stay in their hands. The US federal government has already taken Google to court in order to gain access to their data.

So what do your gaming habits say about you? Does your in-game behaviour reflect your real life personality? Any dirty little secrets hiding on your memory cards? They might not be secrets for much longer.

[Via Wiiha!]