FTC wants to know what Facebook, Amazon, and YouTube do with your data

The companies have 45 days to hand over information about their privacy practices to the FTC.

amazon-logo-wall-grey.jpg

What you need to know

  • The FTC has ordered nine tech companies to provide information about their data practices.
  • The orders are being sent to Amazon, ByteDance, Discord, Facebook, Snap, Twitter, WhatsApp, Reddit, and YouTube.
  • The companies will have to respond to the FTC within 45 days of receiving the order.

The Federal Trade Commission has sent orders to nine popular tech companies, requiring them to provide information on how they collect, use, and present data from their users. The orders have been issued under Section 6(b) of the FTC Act, which authorizes the agency to “conduct wide-ranging studies that do not have a specific law enforcement purpose.”

The FTC wants to know how the companies determine which ads are shown to consumers and whether they apply algorithms or data analytics to personal information. It is also seeking information related to how their practices affect children and teenagers.

The nine companies that have been ordered to share information about their data practices by the FTC include Amazon, Facebook, WhatsApp, Reddit, Twitter, Snap, YouTube, and TikTok parent company ByteDance. As per a press release by the agency, the companies will have 45 days to respond to the order.

When asked for comment, a Twitter spokesperson told CNBC:

We’re working, as we always do, to ensure the FTC has the information it needs to understand how Twitter operates its services.

A Discord spokesperson said in a statement:

Discord takes user privacy very seriously and we look forward to working with the FTC to answer their questions about our privacy practices. Importantly, there are no ads on Discord. We make no money from advertising, selling user data to advertisers, or sharing users’ personal information with others. Instead, the company generates its revenue directly from users through a paid subscription service called Nitro.

The Federal Trade Commission’s new move comes just a week after it filed a lawsuit against Facebook over anticompetitive behavior. The agency plans to seek a permanent injunction that could force Facebook to divest Instagram and WhatsApp.

Facebook facing antitrust investigation surrounding Oculus headsets and Facebook accounts

Related posts

Latest posts

Dell Tech Days: Big Savings on AI-Ready PCs and More

Dell / Dell Good news if you’ve been waiting for the right time to , Dell Tech Days is offering deals that make waiting worth it. on top PCs, monitors, and accessories, plus 2x Dell Rewards. Pull the trigger and get yourself an AI-ready machine and score big on premium hardware. Savings on Products Recommended […]

I tried roaming on Google Fi and T-Mobile, this is the best

If you travel abroad frequently, you’ve probably wondered how to cut back on bill shock. We’ve all been there: you have a great vacation, get back home, and your next postpaid bill drops. Except, it’s much higher than you expected thanks to roaming charges for using your phone abroad. Most networks offer some form of […]

Updated macOS malware variant uncovered by Microsoft

Microsoft has observed a once formant macOS malware that has now began targeting Apple’s Xcode platform in a new, more enhanced variant.

Research suggests cutting down screen time can work better than antidepressants

With access to internet cut off, screen time came crashing down, leading to better mental health, improved sleep, and positive behavioral changes in users.

Google makes it harder to accidentally call 911 with your Pixel Watch

A new feature will help reduce the number of accidental 911 calls from Pixel Watches, and it's rolling out to Pixel Watch users now.

Google’s new policy tracks all your devices with no opt-out

Google has implemented the same strategy they once called wrong and subverts user choice. The tracking has begun and it's happening without your permission.

Amazon is replacing its TikTok-like Inspire with Rufus the AI bot

Amazon shut down Inspire and will be replacing it with AI shopping assistant, Rufus.

This Lenovo ThinkPad is normally $3,229 — today it’s $1,453

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 provides reliable performance from a portable body. The laptop is on sale from Lenovo at 55% off, or savings of $1,776.

Meta’s new ‘Llamacon’ event is all about open-source AI

Meta Connect returns in September but will be preceded by the new Llamacon AI conference in April.

Chase’s latest move will help cut fraud, but Zelle users may not like it

Chase Bank will be blocking Zelle payments to sellers on social media platforms and messaging apps starting March 23.