In previous notes, how our personal data are collected and sold to data brokers was discussed. Our personal data are very valuable to companies & marketers and that’s is why they are traded at a high price. Because our personal data are being used as a commodity, many company that we have never heard of know about us through data broker companies. The companies that we do business with, they know about us already through our interaction with them.
The following list of useful resource is my attempt to learn more about personal data collection, data brokers, and how to opt out from such sites. I plan to write notes on this topic while I explore & learn in the coming days & months.
Useful Resources
- What Is a Data Broker and How Does It Work? | Clearcode. An informative article describing – what are data brokers, what type of data they collect, how they make money, data brokers types, and some controversies and opt out policies.
- Personal Data Is Valuable. Give Pricing Power to the People | WIRED Opinion. A thought provoking opinion piece by Olaf Growth, founding CEO of Cambrian Futures and Cambrian Designs & others regarding personal data collection & privacy right.
- Here are the data brokers quietly buying and selling your personal information | FastCompany. An informative article describing what data brokers know about users and helpful steps to delete personal data. It also contains a list of data broker companies registered under Vermont’s data broker law.
- Corporate Surveillance in Everyday Life | Cracked Labs. A very detailed report (PDF download option) describing the actual practices and inner workings of personal data industries. It maps the structure and scope of today’s digital tracking and profiling ecosystems and explores relevant technologies, platforms and devices, as well as key recent developments.
- How to Opt Out of the Sites That Sell Your Personal Data | WIRED. Very informative & resourceful article with tips to opting out of the personal data collectors sites.
- Data Broker Opt-out List: A curated list of data brokers & suggested opt-out guides & resource links.
Source of cover image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay