FTC investigating privacy practices of YouTube, Amazon, Facebook & other platforms

The Federal Trade Commission has launched a probe of the privacy and data policies of major tech platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok owner ByteDance.

The probe, announced by the agency on Monday, asks for a slew of information and documents from Amazon, ByteDance, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Discord, Reddit, and Snap, Inc. Other tech companies, like Apple and YouTube parent company Google, were left off of the list.

The study appears aimed at figuring out what tech companies learn about their users and what they do with that data. In launching the inquiry, the FTC is using its powers to carry out wide-ranging studies with no specific law enforcement purpose in mind.

Some of the data that the FTC will be examining includes the metrics that companies use to collect and analyze data, as well as the long- and short-term business strategies of the firms. It will also take a closer look at how these privacy and data collection policies, as well as advertising practices, affect children and teenagers.

The FTC's five commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the orders, with Republican commissioner Noah Phillips dissenting. In Fall 2019, Republican commissioner Christine Wilson pushed for a similar study.

These types of probes are used by the FTC to gather data that may eventually be used to carry out enforcement actions should any wrongdoing be discovered. No action is required, however. The agency said that it has already sent orders to the companies that the inquiries will examine, and that the companies have 45 days to respond.

The move comes amid broader industry scrutiny of privacy practices, and on the same day that Apple launched a new feature aimed at creating more transparency about the data collection practices of apps on the App Store.

5 Comments

Rayz2016 6957 comments · 8 Years

About 3 years ago

Rather than leaving Google off the list, maybe they should look into some oddities with their email platform.https://twitter.com/tapbot_paul/status/1338519502502457346

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

Why?
In a month they'll be replaced.

gatorguy 24609 comments · 13 Years

Rayz2016 said:

Rather than leaving Google off the list, maybe they should look into some oddities with their email platform.https://twitter.com/tapbot_paul/status/1338519502502457346

When you don't understand what he's talking about, which you obviously did not, you should take some extra time to figure it out rather than assuming it's something mischievous. Internet search functions can be your friend. It appears to be a part of Google's phishing protection, and in his case for those in their Advanced Protection Program for high-risk customers.

"This security feature brings the experience for users using third-party clients in-line with users of official Gmail clients.
The only information logged in connection with this feature is what's needed to run and maintain the service, including the IP address and user agent of the request, as well as information about clicked URLs (such as the URL itself and whether Safe Browsing determined it was malicious). None of this information is associated with any logged-in user or any Google account identity. This data is only retained for a short period of time and is only used for security purposes."
As you were, back on topic. :)
IMO the privacy policies of the larger players like Google and Apple are pretty well known and verified. With all the smaller social players, and even large ones like Facebook and Youtube, it's less clear what data is used and how it relates to users. I'd be particularly concerned whether any of what's linked to a person is sold or shared outside of the service itself. I think the inquiry is probably a good idea.
If the concern is about whether ads are harmful tp children I thought that was answered years ago when TV ads targeting children was looked at. Of course they affect children.

razorpit 1793 comments · 17 Years

GeorgeBMac said:

Why?
In a month they'll be replaced.

It’s the swamp George. It’s your buddies.

razorpit said:

GeorgeBMac said:

Why?
In a month they'll be replaced.

It’s the swamp George. It’s your buddies.

The swamp critters will be going back to their swamp. Sounds like they are giving it one last try to muck things up.

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