Facebook, Google, and Microsoft Use Design To Trick You Into Handing Over Your Data, Report Warns (gizmodo.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Gizmodo: A study from the Norwegian Consumer Council dug into the underhanded tactics used by Microsoft, Facebook, and Google to collect user data. "The findings include privacy intrusive default settings, misleading wording, giving users an illusion of control, hiding away privacy-friendly choices, take-it-or-leave-it choices, and choice architectures where choosing the privacy friendly option requires more effort for the users," states the report, which includes images and examples of confusing design choices and strangely worded statements involving the collection and use of personal data.

Google makes opting out of personalized ads more of a chore than it needs to be and uses multiple pages of text, unclear design language, and, as described by the report, "hidden defaults" to push users toward the company's desired action. "If the user tried to turn the setting off, a popup window appeared explaining what happens if Ads Personalization is turned off, and asked users to reaffirm their choice," the report explained. "There was no explanation about the possible benefits of turning off Ads Personalization, or negative sides of leaving it turned on." Those who wish to completely avoid personalized ads must traverse multiple menus, making that "I agree" option seem like the lesser of two evils. In Windows 10, if a user wants to opt out of "tailored experiences with diagnostic data," they have to click a dimmed lightbulb, while the symbol for opting in is a brightly shining bulb, says the report.

Another example has to do with Facebook. The social media site makes the "Agree and continue" option much more appealing and less intimidating than the grey "Manage Data Settings" option. The report says the company-suggested option is the easiest to use. "This 'easy road' consisted of four clicks to get through the process, which entailed accepting personalized ads from third parties and the use of face recognition. In contrast, users who wanted to limit data collection and use had to go through 13 clicks."

Comments

And if you optout it just makes you even more of

[Anonymous Coward]

a target.

This should not be a surprise

[Anonymous Coward]

This info has been out there for years yet no one is listening and/or cares. The mantra of people seems to be "it's free" so why not. I have long ago seen this coming. Use Fedora Linux or Debian. Use an iPhone over Android despite Apple having some issues. Use P2P apps in lieu of things like Skype. Own your own domain and use that for email. It's cheap and you have control of your user name and domain name. Tie that domain name to a privacy-respecting service like Fastmail.

Don't use spy devices like Alexa or Google Home. These exist not to help you but to harvest your data 24/7. Roll your own solutions, especially if you're technical or in IT. Use your own skills. Run a Pi-hole, block and defund the ad companies and tracking companies. Like drugs, just say no...

Shocking

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

I just can't believe that companies like Microsoft or Facebook or Google would ever do anything underhanded or manipulative! I mean, it's not like have years of history of doing this, right? Right?

(As someone else posted, opting out probably gets you scrutinized even more, perhaps as a test subject for even trickier under-the-radar manipulation.)

Re:Shocking

[Actually, I do RTFA]

I'm not sure why I would pay for a software subscription. I'm okay paying for licenses. Hell, Apple makes money without collecting and monetizing the data

Given that Microsoft, Google and Facebook combined are worth 10% -ish of the US stock market, I don't think anyone buys "oh these poor companies need the money"

Re:And if you optout it just makes you even more o

[BronsCon]

He said targeted, not tracked.

Re: Gee, what a surprise ...

[triffid_98]

While Facebook is avoidable good luck avoiding Microsoft and Google if you're not a member of the zombie Steve Jobs fan club...that said, whatever they extract is far less damaging than the Equifax breach, after that I'd say cell phone carriers and all of the historical gps data they share with third parties without your consent. Just like the instigators of the 2008 global financial meltdown the penalties = zero dollars.

Re:YouTube are the same

[pjt33]

Slashdot's no better. I've lost count of the times I've told it that I don't consent to processing my data for personalisation of advertising. Since refusing consent may not be punished, it's almost certainly in violation of GDPR.

Re:OMG, a free site makes me click a few things!

[religionofpeas]

Just because you'd pay $4.99/month, doesn't mean they won't use your data anyway.

Re: Alternatives

[Raenex]

You sound like a Google employee. There's no doubt about Google tracking. At least DuckDuckGo has a stated policy of not tracking, and is an alternative to the Google Goliath.

another illusion

[thePsychologist]

I think a lot of people also don't realize how much it costs to provide a service like Gmail because it's all electronic, and so they don't apply the 'nothing is for free' maxim to it.

Re:Hand over your software too

[houghi]

The thing I hate about such things is that you need to decline each and every time (/. no has it as well). Yet when you agree once, you will not be able to remove it or it is very hard to find the setting ti change it or they hope you forget.

If they would ask you each month, regardless of the answer you gave last month, it would be ok.