For years, people have known that technology companies such as Meta and Google have collected their data, but it’s not just Big Tech companies that are seeking to track consumers.
In February of last year, the European Consumer Organisation, or BEUC, representing 45 consumer groups, accused Meta of taking users’ data to identify key psychological markers, such as their susceptibility to addiction and their emotional state, to share with advertisers.
“With its illegal practices, Meta fuels the surveillance-based ads system which tracks consumers online and gathers vast amounts of personal data for the purpose of showing them adverts,” the BEUC said in a statement.
However, data aren’t just being collected to share with advertisers. They are now also being used to share with authorities.
Here are three ways that consumers’ data are being collected and used…
