FTC chair Lina M. Khan expressed alarm at the scale of data harvesting, stating that while this information helps companies generate billions in targeted advertising revenue, it compromises user privacy and safety. 'These surveillance practices can endanger people's privacy, threaten their freedoms, and expose them to a host of harms, from identity theft to stalking,' Khan remarked.
The report highlights how platforms like Facebook and YouTube collect user data, sometimes in ways that go beyond what users expect or understand. Third-party brokers provide these companies with additional information, such as location data and financial demographics, further enriching the data used for targeted advertising.
Privacy Concerns and FTC Recommendations While users may attempt to delete their data, the FTC report emphasizes that many companies merely de-identify rather than fully remove it, leaving privacy gaps. In some cases, platforms only erase select portions of data, creating a misleading sense of control for users.
The FTC is urging tech companies to be more transparent about their data collection processes, improve user privacy measures, and provide individuals with better control over their personal information. The report also calls for Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to establish consumer data rights and limit excessive surveillance.
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