California's Privacy Obstacle Course
7 hours ago
- Data brokers cause many societal harms (deepfake porn, phishing, discrimination, ICE roundups, election interference, identity theft) yet Congress has not passed a federal consumer privacy law since 1988.
- California's DROP (Delete Request and Opt-out Platform) allows consumers to request deletion of their data from brokers but requires a cumbersome, redundant process with multiple identity verifications (Login.gov, photo ID, text/email codes, VIN, mobile ad identifier).
- The system is based on the flawed assumption that people want to be spied on; evidence shows 96% of iPhone users opted out of Facebook tracking when given a simple one-click option.
- The author argues that data brokers should be banned outright and that the burden should be on brokers to obtain opt-in consent, not on individuals to opt out via a labyrinthine process.
- The text also includes links to other articles, historical notes, upcoming appearances, and lists of books by the author.