Social Media Giants Under Scrutiny for Data Collection Practices
Social media and video streaming services, including major platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, have come under fire for their data collection practices. A recent report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sheds light on how these companies are collecting and monetizing vast amounts of user data, often without adequate protections, especially for children and teens.
FTC Request for Data
The FTC report was prompted by 6(b) orders issued in December 2020. The commission requested data from companies like Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, and others on how they collect, use, and track user data.
These companies’ reliance on mass data collection for personalized advertising poses significant risks to user privacy, according to the FTC. The report also raised concerns about invasive tracking technologies, such as pixels, that track user preferences and interests for targeted advertising.
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan highlighted the dangers of these surveillance practices, especially for children and teens. The report recommended comprehensive federal privacy legislation to limit surveillance and grant consumers more control over their data.
Staff Recommendations
The FTC staff made several recommendations for policymakers and companies, including:
Congress should pass comprehensive federal privacy legislation to limit surveillance and grant consumers data rights;
Companies should limit data collection, implement data minimization policies, and delete consumer data when no longer needed;
Companies should not collect sensitive information through invasive ad tracking technologies;
Companies should provide greater privacy protections for teens and address the lack of transparency in data usage.
For more information on the FTC report, visit here.
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