Senator Wyden Reveals Data Brokers Selling Americans' Internet Browsing
Source: Ron Wyden | Date: 2024-01-17
The data broker industry continues to face scrutiny as investigations reveal the extent of personal information being collected, aggregated, and sold without meaningful consumer consent. senator wyden reveals data brokers selling americans' internet browsing exposes practices that most consumers are entirely unaware of and highlights the urgent need for regulation of this shadowy industry.
The Data Broker Ecosystem
Data brokers are companies that collect personal information from multiple sources — public records, social media, purchase histories, location data from mobile apps, browser tracking, loyalty programs, and other data brokers — and compile it into detailed profiles that are sold to advertisers, insurance companies, employers, law enforcement agencies, and anyone willing to pay. The industry generates over $200 billion annually in the United States alone, yet most consumers have never heard of the major data brokers and have no idea how much of their personal information these companies hold.
The data broker industry operates with minimal regulation. Unlike banks, healthcare providers, or telecommunications companies, data brokers are not subject to sector-specific privacy laws. The FTC has authority to pursue unfair or deceptive practices, and state privacy laws like the CCPA give consumers the right to opt out of data sales, but enforcement is limited and the opt-out burden falls on consumers rather than the companies profiting from their data.
What This Investigation Reveals
This investigation demonstrates that data brokers collect and sell information that most consumers would consider deeply private — including location data that reveals visits to sensitive locations (medical facilities, places of worship, political events), financial data that reveals income levels and spending patterns, and behavioral data that reveals personal interests, relationships, and vulnerabilities. This information is available to virtually any buyer, with minimal verification of identity or purpose.
The national security implications are particularly concerning. Investigations have shown that data brokers sell location data for US military personnel and intelligence community members, potentially enabling foreign adversaries to track their movements, identify their home addresses, and compromise their operational security.
How to Protect Yourself
Opt out of as many data brokers as possible using services like DeleteMe, Kanary, or manual submission of opt-out requests. Reduce the sources of data that brokers collect by using privacy-focused browsers, limiting app permissions, providing minimal personal information when creating accounts, and using virtual addresses and phone numbers where possible. Support legislative efforts to regulate the data broker industry, including requirements for transparency, consent, and meaningful opt-out mechanisms.
Staying Informed and Taking Action
This development is part of a broader pattern in the evolving digital privacy landscape. As technology companies, governments, and data brokers continue to expand their data collection capabilities, staying informed about privacy developments is essential for protecting yourself and advocating for stronger protections.
Practical steps you can take right now include reviewing your privacy settings on all major platforms, using privacy-focused alternatives for browsing (Firefox, Brave), search (DuckDuckGo), messaging (Signal), and email (ProtonMail). Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts, use a password manager, and regularly audit your digital footprint. Consider supporting organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the ACLU, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) that advocate for privacy rights through litigation, legislation, and public education.
File complaints with the FTC, your state attorney general, and relevant regulatory agencies when you encounter privacy violations. Consumer complaints drive enforcement priorities, and every report contributes to the data regulators use to identify patterns and prioritize cases. Document violations thoroughly — screenshots, emails, and timestamps create the evidentiary foundation for regulatory action and litigation.
The privacy landscape is shifting. Increased public awareness, growing regulatory enforcement, and the emergence of privacy-respecting alternatives are creating pressure for change. But lasting improvement requires sustained engagement from informed consumers who understand their rights and exercise them consistently.