The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took action against a couple of data brokers who allegedly have been collecting and selling sensitive information about American residents. The FTC has agreed with Gravy Analytics and Mobilewalla to stop collecting identifiable, sensitive data from Americans.
The two settlements announced earlier this week confirmed that the data aggregators have been illegally collecting huge amounts of identifiable data. Including the geolocation of people visiting sensitive areas such as places of worship and labor union locations.
Data Brokers Prohibited from Using Sensitive Location Data
The data brokers will be prohibited from utilizing sensitive location data in any product or service. The FTC also hopes to get data aggregators to establish a sensitive data location program that respects people’s rights and forbids them from collecting and selling geolocation from delicate places such as churches, mosques, and synagogues.
Data Brokers to Delete Collected Data or Obtain Consent
The complaint by FTC states that selling and sharing identifiable information on people who visit places such as abortion clinics or attend events that are known for political activity puts consumers at risk of violence, discrimination, and other harm. FTC also wants data brokers to delete all collected data. Unless the data aggregators find a way to get consent from the users or render it non-sensitive and non-unidentifiable.
FTC Aims to Limit Data Collection from Vulnerable Locations
FTC hopes for data brokers to also limit identifiable data collection from other places. Like correctional facilities, schools, childcare facilities, and locations that support people based on racial and ethnic background. The locations also include sheltering homeless and facilities that help domestic abuse victims, refugees, and immigrant populations.
Consumer Protection Agencies Unite Against Data Broker Practices
The action from the FTC comes only days after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule that would forbid data brokers from selling and collecting sensitive information. Such as phone details and Social Security Numbers.
Consumer protection federal agencies are on a quest to stop data aggregators from unlawfully collecting and selling such sensitive data to private and government organizations. In most cases, consumers don’t know that any collected data is being gathered and sold.
The FTC confirmed that other government agencies, including the IRS, DEA, CBP, and ICE, had purchased data points. The last thing folks want is to be targeted by the IRS because of political views or by immigration officers because of visits to a place of worship.
Protecting Individual Privacy in the Digital Age
Privacy is a concern for everyone, especially with the advancement and dependability of smartphones. Even though the FTC is taking a step forward, thousands of other companies are harvesting similar data on American residents. And the government is still far from banning them all from doing what they are already doing. So, it is in the hands of individuals to protect privacy with tools such as VPNs and firewalls often offered by high-end antivirus companies.