New Curbs Sought on the Personal Data Industry

[klook]

1. 'Financially Challenged' - 'Bible Lifestyle' - 'Diabetes Interest' - 'Smoker in Household'

These are representative of the categories that data brokers put us into, based on the personal information collected and sold (typically without our knowledge or active consent) by customers of the companies we entrust to provide us with online communications and business transactions.

Data brokers collect and share "vast amounts" of information, typically behind the scenes without consumer knowledge, the agency said in a report. Some store data indefinitely, creating potential security risks, the FTC said.

"Data brokers often know as much - or even more - about us than our family and friends," FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said in a statement. "It's time to bring transparency and accountability to bear on this industry."
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Such narratives "could result in our being treated differently based on characteristics such as our race, income, or sexual orientation," FTC Commissioner Julie Brill said in a separate statement.

"Perhaps we are described as 'Financially Challenged' or instead as 'Bible Lifestyle.' Perhaps we are also placed in a category of 'Diabetes Interest' or 'Smoker in Household,' " Brill said. "The profiles have the ability to not only rob us of our good name, but also to lead to lost economic opportunities, higher costs, and other significant harm."

- source: FTC finds data brokers pose risk to consumers, SFGate.com

Anybody else alarmed by all this? Is our privacy still worth fighting for?