Criticism of social media

FTC castigates “commercial mass surveillance”

The US authority criticized the fact that the profits of social networks were being made at the expense of privacy.

(Bild: AFP)

In a report published on Thursday, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accuses social network operators of using "surveillance techniques" to monetize personal data. These techniques could jeopardize people's privacy and expose them to dangers such as stalking or identity theft.

"The report lays out how social media and video streaming companies collect an enormous amount of Americans' personal information and make billions of dollars from it every year," said FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan in a statement. 

It is particularly worrying that several companies are failing to adequately protect children and young people.

The business models that rely on targeted advertising have fueled the mass collection of user data by companies, the report continued. Profit is then made at the expense of privacy. The report is based on a survey launched in 2020 of internet companies such as Meta, YouTube, Amazon and X (formerly Twitter).

Advertising industry rejects criticism
The Association of the Online Advertising Industry (IAB) rejected the authority's accusations. Internet users know that online services bring with them the business of targeted advertising, explained IAB boss David Cohen. In return, they appreciate the fact that these services are free. The fact that the FTC speaks of "commercial mass surveillance" is disappointing.