Privacy Investigations
In-depth analysis of corporate data practices, surveillance, and privacy violations.
80 Investigations80 results
Meta's Extensive Cross-Platform Data Collection Revealed
An in-depth look at how Meta harvests user data across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and third-party sites via the Meta...
4 key findings
consent-manipulationHow Meta Uses Dark Patterns to Manufacture User Consent
Investigation into Meta's use of deceptive interface design — so-called dark patterns — to push users toward maximum dat...
5 key findings
children-privacyMeta's Documented Failures in Protecting Children's Privacy
Examination of Meta's track record on child safety, including internal research showing Instagram's harm to teens, under...
4 key findings
ad-targeting-methodsInside Meta's Micro-Targeted Advertising Machine
A deep dive into Meta's ad-targeting infrastructure, including the use of sensitive categories like health conditions, p...
5 key findings
data-broker-partnershipsMeta's Hidden Relationships With Data Brokers Exposed
Investigation into Meta's partnerships with major data brokers that enrich user profiles with offline purchase data, inc...
4 key findings
data-collection-practicesGoogle's Pervasive Data Collection Across the Web
An examination of how Google collects user data through Search, Chrome, Android, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, and its advertisi...
5 key findings
location-trackingGoogle's Location Tracking Persisted Despite User Opt-Outs
Investigation into how Google continued tracking user locations even after they disabled Location History, leading to a ...
4 key findings
algorithmic-biasDocumented Bias in Google's Search and AI Systems
Research findings on racial, gender, and socioeconomic biases embedded in Google Search results, ad delivery, and AI pro...
5 key findings
dark-patternsGoogle's Use of Dark Patterns to Maximize Data Collection
How Google employs deceptive interface designs across Android, Chrome, and its services to steer users toward maximum da...
4 key findings
ad-targeting-methodsHow Google's Ad Machine Profiles Billions of Users
Investigation into Google's advertising infrastructure that processes data from Search, YouTube, Gmail, Maps, and the op...
5 key findings
data-collection-practicesAmazon's Data Empire: From Shopping Carts to Smart Homes
How Amazon collects data across its e-commerce platform, Alexa smart speakers, Ring doorbells, Whole Foods, and AWS clou...
5 key findings
employee-surveillanceInside Amazon's Warehouse Worker Surveillance System
Investigation into Amazon's use of AI cameras, productivity trackers, and automated firing systems in its fulfillment ce...
5 key findings
dark-patternsAmazon's Deceptive Design: The Prime Cancellation Maze
How Amazon deliberately made it nearly impossible to cancel Prime subscriptions, using a process internally code-named '...
5 key findings
government-contractsAmazon's Expanding Government Surveillance Partnerships
Examination of Amazon Web Services' contracts with intelligence agencies, law enforcement use of Ring doorbell networks,...
5 key findings
data-collection-practicesApple's Data Collection: The Gap Between Marketing and Reality
Despite its privacy-first marketing, Apple collects significant user data through Siri, the App Store, Apple Maps, and d...
5 key findings
location-trackingHow Apple Tracks Location Data Through Its Ecosystem
Investigation into Apple's location data collection via Find My network, significant locations tracking, and WiFi/Blueto...
4 key findings
consent-manipulationApple's Selective Transparency on Privacy and Data Use
How Apple leverages its privacy brand to gain competitive advantage while maintaining opaque practices around its own fi...
5 key findings
ad-targeting-methodsApple's Growing Advertising Business and User Profiling
Despite its privacy image, Apple has quietly built a multi-billion dollar advertising business using first-party data fr...
4 key findings
data-collection-practicesWindows Telemetry: Microsoft's Always-On Data Pipeline
How Microsoft collects extensive telemetry from over 1.4 billion Windows devices, including app usage, browsing data, ty...
5 key findings
dark-patternsMicrosoft's Aggressive Tactics to Push Edge and Bing
Investigation into Microsoft's use of deceptive UI patterns in Windows to push users toward Edge browser and Bing search...
5 key findings
government-contractsMicrosoft's Deep Ties to Government Surveillance Programs
Examination of Microsoft's extensive government contracts including military AI projects, JEDI/JWCC cloud contracts, and...
5 key findings
consent-manipulationHow Microsoft Steers Users Into Its Data Ecosystem
Investigation into how Microsoft uses Windows setup flows, mandatory Microsoft Account requirements, and OneDrive integr...
5 key findings
data-collection-practicesTikTok's Extensive Data Harvesting From Young Users
How TikTok collects device identifiers, keystroke patterns, clipboard contents, biometric data, and browsing activity fr...
5 key findings
children-privacyTikTok's Record Fines for Violating Children's Privacy Laws
TikTok's history of children's privacy violations, including a $368 million GDPR fine and evidence the platform knowingl...
5 key findings
biometric-storageTikTok's Collection and Storage of Biometric Data
How TikTok collects faceprints, voiceprints, and other biometric identifiers from users, leading to class-action lawsuit...
5 key findings
data-collection-practicesHow X (Twitter) Monetizes User Data Under Elon Musk
Investigation into X's data practices since Musk's acquisition, including expanded data collection, reduced content mode...
5 key findings
consent-manipulationX's Erosion of User Privacy Controls Post-Acquisition
How X has weakened privacy defaults, expanded data sharing with third parties, and introduced AI data training opt-outs ...
5 key findings
ad-targeting-methodsX's Advertising Data Practices and Verification Paywall
Examination of how X uses conversation data, reading habits, and the premium verification system to build advertising pr...
5 key findings
data-collection-practicesUber's Comprehensive Rider and Driver Surveillance
How Uber tracks location data before, during, and after rides, collects device sensor data, and uses this information fo...
5 key findings
location-trackingUber's Persistent Location Tracking and 'God View' Abuse
Investigation into Uber's history of excessive location tracking, internal tool abuse by employees, and the company's re...
5 key findings
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