How do data brokers operate?

Data brokers collect personal information from various sources such as public records, surveys, social media platforms, online activities, and more. They analyze this data to create detailed profiles about individuals, including their preferences, behaviors, and demographics. Subsequently, data brokers monetize this information by selling it to marketers, advertisers, and other businesses for targeted advertising and decision-making purposes.

The risks associated with data broker activities include potential privacy violations, unauthorized use of personal information, increased exposure to identity theft and fraud, and the lack of transparency and control over how one’s data is being used. Additionally, the aggregation and analysis of personal data by data brokers can lead to the creation of inaccurate or biased profiles, which may have negative repercussions on individuals in terms of pricing, job opportunities, and more.