A catalogue of all the “Data Linked to You” collected by Google Chrome and Google App shared by DuckDuckGo.
This Monday, we celebrated World Consumer Rights Day. Consumer laws cover how people buy goods and services. This is now especially important with respect to the collection, use, and sale of their consumer data, which is protected by laws such as the CCPA and CDPA. Interestingly enough, the timing could not have been better this week with Google’s big reveal of all the personal data collected on Chrome and the Google App.
“US State Comprehensive Privacy Law Comparison,” IAPP – March 15th, 2021 or “World Consumer Rights Day,” Consumers International – March 15, 2021
- World Consumer Rights Day champions laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the newly enacted Virginia Consumer Data Privacy Act (CDPA) that gives consumers back control of their personal data. These laws ensure that data privacy and transparency are top priorities for businesses and allow consumers to hold businesses accountable for using their data responsibly.
“Google Finally Revealed How Much Personal Data It Collects In Chrome and Google App. The Data Google Collects Will Frighten You,” Tech Startups – March 18th, 2021.
- Reality set in this week when the world was informed that Google tracks every move users make online, not just their name and email address. Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo revealed the truth, calling out Google for “spying” on users. Google collects everything from your contact information and product interaction, all the way down to your physical address. It is critical that the staggering amount of data collected by these tech giants is exposed to hold them accountable.
No surprise here, as results of a newly issued data privacy report showed that a large percentage of consumers are concerned about how their data is being used – change is required.
“New Study by Measure Protocol Reveals Current Consumer Attitudes About Data Privacy,” PRNewswire – March 17, 2021.
- Measure Protocol, a blockchain-based marketplace for personal data, performed a study on consumer privacy issues. Staggeringly, 82% of consumers taking part in the study have personal data privacy concerns. In addition, 70% plus of the respondents want greater control over their data and want to be paid fairly for its use. With consumer concerns at such levels which will only grow, it is incumbent on companies to accelerate solutions to improve the dissipating trust between businesses and consumers.
Over the week, AI technology came into the spotlight with articles stating that when used correctly and ethically, AI can be employed as a tool to manage data privacy issues rather than as a “Weapon” to abuse the collection and use of data.
“Is Your Privacy Governance Ready For AI,” Harvard Business Review – March 18th, 2021.
- The use of AI applications in businesses can provide both benefits and risks concerning data privacy. In an effort to safeguard data privacy, more and more ethically focused businesses are trying to utilize AI to mitigate risks and control how data is used within its business environment. AI research projects are underway to improve and protect data privacy.
“Nothing Personal, but Ethical AI Is Our Strongest Weapon In Data Privacy Wars,” Forbes – March 18th, 2021.
- The key to using AI responsibly is by developing the right tools to both stay in compliance with government regulations and to protect consumer data rights. One powerful application being researched right now is an “AI-fueled anonymization tool” that creates “differential privacy datasets” to use instead of collecting a user’s personal data. Data collected on groups; however, small and focused, would be a great leap forward in protecting an individual’s data and specific use.