Big tech companies continue to prioritize their own profits over their users’ privacy. To counter these privacy intrusions, consumers need to start using search engines that protect against big tech companies’ manipulative data protection practices.
“TikTok May Owe You Money From Its $92 Million Data Privacy Settlement,” Business Insider- November 19th, 2021
This week, TikTok announced that American users on the app prior to October 1st may now be eligible for a portion of a recent $92 million data privacy settlement. Earlier this year, a class action lawsuit claimed that TikTok collected and distributed personal data without user consent. Although TikTok denied any wrongdoing, the company has “agreed to not use its app to collect or store biometric information on users… unless explicitly disclosed in its privacy policy.” Eligible users must submit payment claims by March 1st, 2022.
“Facebook And Google Secretly Track Your Phone—This App Stops It,” Forbes- November 20th, 2021
Android users need to become more aware of trackers hidden in some of the top phone apps. On the other hand, Apple has already addressed this issue by allowing iPhone users to be asked to give explicit permission to be tracked. Google is on Android, Chrome, and other platforms all of which allow trackers and data algorithms. However, DuckDuckGo, the privacy-first search engine, is enabling users to reclaim their privacy. The DuckDuckGo tools are essential since “Google and Facebook are able to spy on almost everything you do on your phone.”
“The Amazon lobbyists who kill U.S. consumer privacy protections,” CNBC- November 19th, 2021
Shockingly, Amazon lobbyists undermined privacy legislation in over two dozen states to give consumers more data privacy rights. To make things worse, Amazon continues to amass large amounts of data from millions of consumers. Amazon’s actions alone should convince states to pass major privacy bills to combat big technology companies’ privacy abuses.
The UK government strengthens their data privacy legislations in an effort to protect consumers from advancements in AI. The time is now for the U.S. to follow the lead of the UK and the European Union.
“UK protects citizen privacy by radically strengthening its data protection laws,” TechHQ- November 18th, 2021
The British government is intent on strengthening the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to protect data from upcoming advancements in AI. Violations will result in hefty fines. Companies need to install protocols that will not only protect consumers’ data but also enable company growth.