The importance of privacy is something we know a little bit about at ProPublica (formally, Pro Publica, Inc.). We've covered the ways in which businesses and government have breached the privacy and trust of consumers and citizens, and we think hard about how we protect the privacy of our sources. We hold ourselves to a high standard on these issues. ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 81% of American adults said they were concerned about how companies use their data, and 71% said they were concerned about how the government uses their data. At the same time, though, 61% expressed skepticism that anything they do makes much difference. This is because people have come to expect that their data will be captured, shared, and misused by state and corporate entities alike.
This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the next round of COVID-19 vaccines, with new restrictions. COVID vaccines had been available to anyone 6 months and older regardless of their health. That's no longer the case. Now, the FDA is limiting the updated shots to those who are at risk for serious complications because they are 65 or older, or have other health problems.
We collect personal information that identifies, relates to, describes, references, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or device.
