FTC Highlights “Vast Surveillance” by Big Tech in Latest Report
Randy Siegel
Latest posts by Randy Siegel (see all)
- FTC Highlights “Vast Surveillance” by Big Tech in Latest Report - September 20, 2024
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a groundbreaking report this past week that sheds light on the vast surveillance practices of major social media and video streaming companies. The report. which was released on September 19th, is a stark reminder of the extensive data collection and monetization strategies employed by these tech giants, often at the expense of user privacy and security.
The FTC’s findings reveal that companies like Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and others are engaging in vast surveillance of users, including children and teens. These platforms collect an enormous amount of personal data, often without adequate safeguards or transparency. The data is then used to fuel targeted advertising, generating billions in revenue while compromising user privacy.
Particularly concerning is the impact on younger users. The report highlights that many of these companies fail to protect children and teens adequately, exposing them to potential harms such as identity theft and stalking. The FTC calls for stricter regulations to limit data retention and sharing, enhance protections for minors, and give consumers more control over their personal information.
According to the report, “self-regulation has been a failure,” and “predicting, shaping, and monetizing human behavior through commercial surveillance is extremely profitable — it’s made these companies some of the most valuable on the planet — and putting industry in charge has had predictable results.” In short, there are no meaningful disincentives in place to change this rapacious behavior.
As noted in an article on the matter from The Verge, “given the billions companies stand to earn from collecting and monetizing user data,” there is no reason to believe that the companies will self-regulate” anything.
The Verge article continued, “this is a systemic, industry wide problem. There are industry-wide incentive structures that reward harvesting, collecting, and monetizing user data. “While lucrative for the companies, these surveillance practices can endanger people’s privacy, threaten their freedoms, and expose them to a host of harms, from [sic] identify theft to stalking,” FTC chair Lina Khan said. “Several firms’ failure to adequately protect kids and teens online is especially troubling.”
At Purism, we have always championed privacy and security as fundamental human rights. This report underscores the urgent need for ethical technology practices and robust privacy protections. It is a call to action for both policymakers and consumers to demand greater accountability and transparency from tech companies.
Purism takes a comprehensive and multi-layered approach to privacy, often referred to as “Privacy in Depth.” Here are some key aspects of their approach:
Purism designs its hardware with privacy in mind. Their devices, such as the Librem laptops and Librem 5 phone, come with hardware kill switches that physically disconnect the microphone, camera, and wireless communications, ensuring that these components cannot be accessed without the user’s consent.
Purism uses PureOS, a fully free and open-source operating system that respects user privacy. PureOS does not include any proprietary software or firmware, reducing the risk of hidden backdoors or data collection. Additionally, Purism ensures that all software updates are secure and privacy focused.
One of the core principles at Purism is data minimization. This means they collect the least amount of data necessary to provide their services. By not collecting data in the first place, they eliminate the risk of data breaches or misuse.
Purism emphasizes user control and consent. Users have full control over their data and can decide what to share and with whom. This is in stark contrast to many big tech companies that collect and monetize user data without explicit consent.
Purism offers privacy-focused services such as Librem One, which includes encrypted email, chat, and VPN services. These services are designed to protect user data from surveillance and unauthorized access.
Purism is structured as a Social Purpose Corporation (SPC), which means they are legally obligated to prioritize social good over profit. This corporate structure reinforces their commitment to privacy and ethical business practices.
Purism maintains transparency with its community by openly discussing their privacy practices and inviting feedback. They also contribute to and support open-source projects that align with their privacy goals.
Purism’s approach to privacy is about creating a secure and trustworthy environment where users can feel confident that their personal data is protected. This commitment to privacy is embedded in every aspect of their products and services.
Purism Products and Availability Chart
| Model | Status | Lead Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Librem Key (Made in USA) | In Stock ($59+) | 10 business days | |
 | Librem 5 | In Stock ($699+) 3GB/32GB | 10 business days | |
| Librem 5 COMSEC Bundle | In Stock ($1299+) Qty 2; 3GB/32GB | 10 business days | |
| Liberty Phone (Made in USA Electronics) | Backorder ($1,999+) 4GB/128GB | Estimated delivery date pending | |
| Librem 5 + SIMple (3 GB Data) | In Stock ($99/mo) | 10 business days | |
| Librem 5 + SIMple Plus (5 GB Data) | In Stock ($129/mo) | 10 business days | |
| Librem 5 + AweSIM (Unlimited Data) | In Stock ($169/mo) | 10 business days | |
 | Librem 11 | Backorder ($999+) 8GB/1TB | Estimated delivery date pending | |
 | Librem 14 | In Stock ($1,370+) | 10 business days | |
 | Librem Mini | Backorder ($799+) | Estimated delivery mid-October | |
 | Librem Server | In Stock ($2,999+) | 45 business days |
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