ProPublica reports on the consumer data industry and the types of information that are collected, processed and sold. Some businesses collect lists of individuals undergoing “life-event triggers”—such as buying a home or having a child—while others profile people’s hobbies or salary and paystub information. The report also looks into the sources of such information. “You have the right to review and correct your credit report,” the article states, “But with marketing data, there’s often no way to know exactly what information is attached to your name—or whether it’s accurate.” To illustrate the flow of consumer information from purchase to advertising, AdvertisingAge has published an interactive map outlining various data flows. The FTC recently said it will ramp up enforcement of those “who share online data sloppily.”
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