Topic: Data Brokering

During her PBS interview, Maria Ressa described how machine learning builds "clones" of users in a "motherlode database" to facilitate micro-targeting. She claimed this was used by Russia to impact 126 million Americans in 2016. The hosts mock her terminology, noting that "micro-targeting" is simply a modern term for targeted advertising that has existed for decades.

Oracle acquired medical records giant Cerner for $30 billion, signaling a major move into healthcare data automation. The acquisition positions Oracle, a long-time government and CIA contractor, as a primary broker of sensitive health and consumer data.

Former CIA Director John Brennan is linked to the rise of the "military-industrial-contractor complex" through his time at the Analysis Corporation. The discussion explores how companies like Clearview AI and various data brokers aggregate facial recognition and location data for government use. These contractors reportedly build profiles to personalize digital harassment, a tactic often attributed to foreign actors like Russia but allegedly performed by domestic entities.

During the donor thank-you segment, a producer provided insights into the data broker industry, specifically regarding Axiom and LiveRamp. The discussion noted Axiom's historical ties to the Clinton administration in Arkansas and its recent acquisition by the advertising giant WPP. The company is identified as a major player in "identity resolution," selling personal data to platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google while expanding operations into China.

Amazon and Zillow are reportedly working toward removing real estate agents from the home-buying process entirely. By utilizing digital door locks and extensive consumer data from brokers like Axiom and Oracle, these companies aim to create a seamless, human-free transaction model. This "cradle-to-grave" service would manage everything from credit repair to mortgage approval through proprietary apps.

The absence of gun control questions during the Democratic debates is noted, despite recent shootings in Gilroy and New York. Additionally, concerns are raised about intelligence services purchasing location data from private companies like Uber, Lyft, and bike-sharing services.

Oracle's acquisition of Acxiom has created one of the world's largest aggregators of consumer data, maintaining detailed dossiers on billions of people. These dossiers include purchase histories and financial data, which are sold to automotive, pharmaceutical, and financial companies for targeted marketing.

The viral FaceApp, which uses AI to age users' faces, is criticized as a "spy app" designed to place advertising IDs and harvest data for brokers. While public concern focuses on Russian ownership, the real risk is the continuous monitoring of browser habits. This data is sold to financial institutions to refine systems that manage millennial student debt and consumer behavior.

Apple CEO Tim Cook published an op-ed in Time magazine calling for stricter regulations on data brokers to protect digital privacy. Meanwhile, Roku faced criticism for briefly allowing Alex Jones's InfoWars channel on its platform before removing it following public pressure. The incident is cited as an example of the lack of neutrality among digital platforms.

The hosts discuss how Facebook partners with third-party data brokers to acquire information on users' offline activities, such as grocery purchases and traffic patterns. This data is more valuable to marketers than personal chat logs or photos. The segment explains that this integration of real-world commercial data is what allows for highly targeted advertising that often feels like the app is "listening."

Senator Richard Blumenthal accuses Facebook of "willful blindness" and violating an FTC consent decree. The discussion covers the monetization of user information, the role of data brokers like FICO, and Facebook's support for the SESTA sex trafficking legislation.

Concerns are raised regarding smart home devices like the Roomba vacuum, which was reportedly selling floor plan data to brokers. Other integrated products from Nest and Sonos are cited as potential surveillance tools that log user movements and habits. Apple is noted as a relatively better actor in the privacy space compared to Google and other data-driven tech firms.

Bloomberg News reported that hospitals are purchasing consumer data from brokers to predict patient illness and treatment costs. This data is harvested from drugstore and grocery store loyalty cards, tracking every transaction a consumer makes. The hosts warn that this information is shared with insurance companies to potentially adjust rates based on purchasing habits, such as food choices.