The Data Download: The cost of acquiescence

Sent by Joshua Katris  |  March 17, 2024

The Good

The FTC, led by Lina Khan, is vigorously enforcing privacy rules, prohibiting the sale of sensitive data revealing personal details. The FTC's dedication to tackling privacy violations and ensuring consumer data security is encouraging.

The Bad

Too many people accept the narrative that they must trade their privacy for security. 49% of Americans are OK with the government collecting personal data. 1 in 4 people think it’s OK for smart speakers to share data with police. However, only 9% of people feel they have “a lot of control” over the data that is collected about them.

Read the report

The Ugly

A new fight is brewing. The Interactive Advertising Bureau’s (IAB) opposition to the FTC’s proposed changes for subscriptions and cancellations reflects an industry reluctance to adopt more consumer-friendly practices. When profit and regulation find themselves on opposite sides of an argument, the burden falls squarely on consumers to safeguard their data.

Something to think about

Did you know that nearly 80% of Americans are confident in their ability to protect their personal information? This statistic mirrors the proportion of Americans who believe American students rank in the top 10% for international math scores. Data paints a very different picture. The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) reveals that American students sit in 32nd place out of 37 countries in assessments. Even if we’re grading on a curve, this is a big red F.

 

Given the misunderstanding of our mathematical achievements, how confident are you that you have the ability to protect your personal information? Still 80%?

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Something to talk about

Share the quote that resonates most with you...

“Privacy and security are those things you give up when you show the world what makes you extraordinary”

 ~ MARGARET CHO

"Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds."

 ~ John Perry Barlow

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