The Dark Side of Big Data: Why YouTube’s use of Data Collection can Impair Your Privacy
Before the advent of the internet, privacy was a simple concept and it was relatively easy to secure it. However, the rise of the digital age has ushered in a new era where data collection is a common phenomenon. Several tech giants, especially those involved in social media and video-sharing platforms, are now proficient in harnessing vast amounts of data, where every imaginable detail about a user is collected, analysed, and repackaged to suit their interests. This data collection activity has left many sceptical, with concerns growing that businesses may compromise users’ privacy by sharing their data with third-party companies. One such platform is YouTube. Here is why YouTube’s use of big data could be dangerous for your privacy.
How YouTube Collects Data on its Users
YouTube collects data on its users through a variety of means. When you create an account with YouTube, the platform collects certain personal information about you, such as your full name and email address, that they then retain in order to identify you. But things do not end there. YouTube also tracks your viewing history, searches, comments, likes, and subscriptions, as well as interactions with other users, such as the sharing of videos. Every activity on the platform is recorded and analysed, regardless of whether you’re logged in to your YouTube account or not.
The Dangers of Big Data Collection on YouTube
YouTube’s collection of massive user data sets is designed to offer a personalized user experience as well as to improve its targeted advertising methods. Unfortunately, while this may be a reasonably positive feature of the platform, it also exposes users to various privacy concerns and risks. For starters, YouTube sells users’ data to third-party firms, who then use it for marketing purposes, a practice that has spurned public criticism. Secondly, cybercriminals can easily access user data, which, if used maliciously, could cause significant harm, including identity theft.
Privacy Concerns of YouTube Data Collection and Analysis
One of the main privacy concerns of YouTube’s data collection is that the platform targets children who do not have adequate knowledge of data privacy. Such children, who represent a significant portion of the platform’s users, can be manipulated into sharing their data with criminals on the Dark Web. Regulators have taken adequate measures, resulting in YouTube being fined $170 million by the Federal Trade Commission over child privacy violations.
Mitigating Privacy Risks of YouTube’s Data Collection
To mitigate the potential risks of YouTube data collection, users must understand how their data is used. There are several methods that can be adopted, such as using anonymous browsing and opting out of data collection via the settings dashboard. However, this is not foolproof, given that Google owns YouTube and collects data from every search conducted on the platform.
Conclusion
YouTube’s use of big data has raised concerns over the privacy of users on the platform. Despite the platform’s ability to deliver a personalized experience to users, advertisers, cybercriminals, and other stakeholders can access users’ data, putting their privacy concerns at risk. With regulators’ intervention, it remains to be seen if YouTube will take adequate measures to mitigate these concerns. In the meantime, users can adopt several approaches to protect their personal data from being used by unauthorized persons.
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