Overview
Step 1: Choose Two data sources to audit
- Google: My ActivityLinks to an external site. | Ad SettingsLinks to an external site.
- Instagram: Ad PreferencesLinks to an external site.
- TikTok: Privacy & Personalization SettingsLinks to an external site.
(In-app: Settings → Privacy → Ads / Personalization) - Smartphone:
iPhone: SettingsLinks to an external site.
Android: SettingsLinks to an external site. - Amazon: Ad PreferencesLinks to an external site. | Browsing HistoryLinks to an external site.
- OR any platform you regularly use
Step 2: Explore your data
- Look at activity history, recommendations, ads, or permissions
- Do NOT share sensitive personal info—focus on patterns and observations
Step 3: In your post, respond to the following:
- What did you discover?
- What kinds of data are being collected?
- Was anything surprising, unexpected, or concerning?
- How is your data being used?
- What patterns do you notice in recommendations, ads, or content?
- How accurate or influential do these systems seem?
- Control & consent:
- Do you feel like you have meaningful control over your data? Why or why not?
- How easy or difficult is it to understand what the platform is doing with your data?
- Would an average user truly understand or be able to manage this level of tracking?
- Power, responsibility, and ethics:
- Who benefits the most from this data collection system?
- Who might be at risk or disadvantaged?
- Where should the line be between helpful personalization and surveillance?
- Who should be responsible for protecting user data—users, companies, or governments?
- Evidence connection:
- Connect your findings to at least one idea from this week’s materials (lecture, reading, or video).
- Comparison:
- What are the biggest differences between the two platforms?
- Which one collects more data or feels more invasive? Why?
Alternative Option (if you prefer not to access personal data): Research a real-world example of data collection (e.g., targeted ads, smart devices, location tracking, or surveillance systems) and respond to the same questions.