فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a new report, following a multi-year study, indicating that major social media companies continue to engage in a “wide-ranging surveillance operation” aimed at profiting from users’ personal information.
The report is based on inquiries conducted with nine companies over the past four years and reveals the massive collection of personal data, some of which is acquired through data brokers, allowing these companies to retain this information indefinitely.
FTC Chair Lina Khan stated, “The report illustrates how social media and streaming services collect vast amounts of personal data from Americans, generating billions of dollars in annual revenue from it.” She expressed concern over these companies’ failure to protect children and teenagers online.
Khan warned that such surveillance practices expose individuals to risks of tracking, harassment, and personal data theft.
The report noted that business models centered around targeted advertising encourage intensive user data collection, pitting profit against privacy.
In response, the Interactive Advertising Bureau criticized the FTC’s characterization of the digital advertising industry as “engaged in mass commercial surveillance,” arguing that internet users understand that targeted ads are a trade-off for the free services provided.
The findings were based on responses from companies like Meta, YouTube, Snap, Amazon, ByteDance (owner of TikTok), and the platform X.
The report also noted that some companies did not delete all the data users requested to be removed.
In conclusion, the report urges social media companies to limit their data collection practices and calls on the U.S. Congress to enact comprehensive privacy legislation aimed at reducing user surveillance on these platforms.
source: fesnews media
