A recent study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has unveiled alarming practices of mass surveillance employed by major social media and internet companies.
Substantial Amount of Data Harvested
The report, published following four years of investigation, reveals how these giants collect extensive personal data from users, often through third-party data brokers, and retain this information indefinitely.
Lina Khan, the chair of the FTC, expressed her concern over the failure of these companies to adequately protect children and teenagers online, according to Digi24.
The report underscores the substantial amounts of personal data harvested by social media platforms and video streaming services, which are then monetized for billions of dollars.
“These surveillance practices, while profitable for companies, pose significant risks to individuals’ privacy, threatening their freedoms and exposing them to various harms, including identity theft and harassment,” Khan stated.
Engaging in Mass Commercial Surveillance
The findings are particularly concerning as they highlight the economic model of targeted advertising, which incentivizes mass data collection at the expense of user privacy.
In response, David Cohen, head of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), expressed disappointment over the FTC’s characterization of the digital advertising industry as engaging in "mass commercial surveillance."
He argued that users understand that targeted advertising enables them to access online services that would otherwise come at a higher cost.
The FTC's report stems from inquiries launched in late 2020, targeting companies such as Meta, YouTube, Amazon, and TikTok. In light of these revelations, the IAB has called for comprehensive national legislation on data privacy, aligning with the FTC's recommendations.
