The Data Download: The FCC, political nonprofits, and transparency

Sent by Joshua Katris  |  January 14, 2024

The Good

A recent Forbes article highlights the FCC's new rule requiring direct written consent for lead generation, greatly restricting the use of third-party data in marketing.

Read the FCC’s new rule PDF

The Bad

Over half of Americans have had their personal data leaked. 55% believe it’s possible to avoid becoming a victim of a data breach, and 48% are confident that a subscription password manager app will keep their information safe. Yet, only 27% have actually taken steps to protect themselves.

Read the report by US News

The Ugly

Despite collecting vast amounts of data, U.S. political campaigns, classified as nonprofits, avoid the strict privacy scrutiny that for-profits endure. This spurred researchers from William & Mary, Google, and IBM to conduct an award-winning study on campaign websites' privacy practices, spotlighting a significant privacy oversight.

Something to think about

If non-profits don't have to follow the same privacy rules as businesses, it’s reasonable to say they should still have to be as transparent about the data they collect as they are required with their financial reporting.

 

Should there be a national data registry where individuals have the capability to access profiles composed of their personal information by all registered non-profits?

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Something to talk about

Share the quote that resonates most with you...

“If we have data, let’s look at data. If all we have are opinions, let’s go with mine.”

~ Jim Barksdale

"Things get done only if the data we gather can inform and inspire those in a position to make a difference."

~ Mike Schmoker

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