FTC Investigation Highlights Risks of Extensive Data Collection by Major Tech Platforms

A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report into nine major social media and video-streaming companies, including Meta, YouTube, and TikTok, revealed that these platforms collect vast amounts of personal data from both users and non-users. The investigation found that companies often retain this information for extended periods and utilize it within automated systems, including artificial intelligence models, without providing users with clear insight into how their data influences these processes. While AI tools offer potential benefits for education and business in regions like Nigeria, the report identifies a significant power imbalance. Users frequently lack the ability to understand or limit the use of their personal information, as digital services often rely on complex terms of service that are difficult to navigate. This concentration of data collection capabilities creates an infrastructure that could facilitate profiling and behavioral prediction, raising concerns about the long-term control individuals maintain over their digital footprints.