FTC an extensive study of social media sites spanning four years. The organization said many social media sites and streaming services engaged in “extensive surveillance to monetize consumers’ personal information.” This mass surveillance affects adult users as well as children and teenagers.
This is not at all surprising. After all, the old saying goes, “if you’re not paying for the product, you’re the product.” Still, research suggests a level of control that might shock even the most cynical among us. According to the FTC, these entities collect “reams of data” and “keep it indefinitely.” The companies also engage in “extensive data sharing” with “inadequate” security measures.
The report also found that some companies did not delete all user data in response to deletion requests. This is not a good look. In addition, some companies have been found to be using privacy-intrusive technologies “to facilitate advertising to users based on preferences and interests.”
But wait, there’s more. The report found that users (and even non-users) have no way to opt out of how their data is used by automated systems such as algorithms, data analytics and artificial intelligence. The FTC found that these companies used varied, inconsistent, and inadequate approaches to monitoring and testing the use of these automated systems.
Finally, the report found that “social media and video streaming services do not adequately protect children and adolescents on their sites.” The study suggests that social media and digital technology as a whole contribute to “adverse effects on the mental health of young users”. This is nothing new, although some social media companies are putting tools in place to protect children. Instagram Teen accounts include parental controls.
The FTC says all of these problems are related to the profit models of large social media and streaming companies. These business models force the “massive collection of user data to monetize through specifically targeted advertising.” This is in “tension” with privacy issues because privacy doesn’t make money.
The study concludes that “self-regulation has failed.” To that end, the FTC has issued a number of recommendations to help address these issues. It wants Congress to pass comprehensive privacy legislation to limit surveillance and offer “basic protections.” It also wants social media and streaming companies to limit data collection and data sharing with third parties.
The FTC also advises these companies to delete consumer data when no longer needed or upon request, and to stop using invasive ad tracking technologies such as pixels. It also wants these institutions to address a general lack of transparency about their methods. When it comes to children and teens, the FTC said these organizations “must recognize that teens are not adults and provide them with greater privacy protections.” Finally, he urges Congress to pass federal privacy legislation for minors 13 and older.
Again, none of this information is new, but laying it all out like this is pretty damning. you can do . The services involved in the study include X, TikTok, Reddit, Discord, Twitch, YouTube, Instagram and several others.
