How Tech Giants Are Collecting And Selling Personal User Data: A Study By Surfshark

03/30/2023 10:45 • Tech Trends • 93 views

According to reports, Meta, Apple, Google, and Microsoft are frequently accused of collecting and selling personal data from their users. According to a new study by Surfshark, global government requests for such personal user data are increasing. The focus of this study is on the period from 2013 to 2021, with a year-on-year increase of 38% in 2020 being the most prominent, followed by a 25% increase in 2021.

Research: The government is most interested in Meta’s user data

In recent years, many tech giants have been scrutinized for collecting and selling personal data from their users. Reports suggest that companies like Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Apple, Google, and Microsoft are often accused of such practices. A new study by Surfshark sheds light on how global government requests for personal user data are increasing, with a year-on-year increase of 38% in 2020 being the most prominent, followed by a 25% increase in 2021. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the study and what it means for our privacy.

The Study’s Findings

Surfshark analyzed data from 300+ sources, including Freedom of Information Act requests, corporate transparency reports, and academic studies, to arrive at their conclusions. Here are some of the key findings:

1. Increased Requests For Personal User Data

As mentioned earlier, global government requests for personal user data have been on the rise. What’s more alarming is that these requests are not always backed by warrants or court orders. In some cases, companies comply with these requests voluntarily.

2. Tech Giants And Their Role

Tech giants like Google, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft are amongst the top companies that receive these requests. According to the study, Google received the most requests (154,710) from governments, followed by Apple (91,855), Microsoft (66,539), and Meta (42,288).

3. Different Approaches By Different Countries

The study found that governments from different countries have different approaches to requesting personal user data. For instance, some countries like the US and UK rely heavily on the tech companies to hand over the data, while others like Germany are more restrictive in their approach.

4. Privacy Violations

The study highlights the potential privacy violations that can result from such practices. Personal data can be used for various purposes, including surveillance, targeted advertising, or even identity theft. Users have little control over what data is collected and how it is used.

What Can We Do About It?

The Surfshark study underscores the importance of safeguarding our privacy online. While we cannot control the actions of tech giants or governments, we can take certain steps to protect ourselves:

1. Use Privacy-Focused Tools

Use privacy-focused tools like VPNs, encrypted messaging apps, and ad-blockers to minimize the amount of data you share with third parties.

2. Be Cautious About What Data You Share

Be mindful of what data you share online. Avoid sharing sensitive information like your social security number, financial details, or login credentials.

3. Support Privacy Legislation

Support privacy legislation that places greater restrictions on how companies can collect and use personal data.

Conclusion

The Surfshark study shows how global government requests for personal user data are increasing, and tech giants like Google, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft are amongst the top companies that receive these requests. It’s important to take steps to safeguard our privacy online by using privacy-focused tools, being cautious about what data we share, and supporting privacy legislation.

FAQs

#1. Are tech giants legally required to hand over personal user data to governments?

In some cases, yes. But in other cases, companies may choose to cooperate voluntarily with government requests.

#2. Can VPNs protect my privacy from government surveillance?

VPNs can encrypt your traffic, making it difficult for governments to intercept and read your online activity. However, VPNs are not foolproof and can still leak user data in some cases.

#3. Can I request to see what personal data companies have collected about me?

Yes, under some privacy laws like the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), you have the right to request a copy of the personal data that a company has collected about you.

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