Nowadays, the steps to register on almost any internet platform are very common for us: usually, we must supply our email address to verify ourselves. But other platforms go further and also require us to provide personal data, such as phone number, address, age.

Most users submit this personal information without thinking about the repercussions this could have on their personal privacy.

These data are processed by specialized algorithms that scan browsing preferences, our personal contacts, age, and other data that allow the creation of a database that will allow us to create a field of action for advertising and purchase "suggestions" for "potential customers".
The recent crisis of vulnerability in privacy that was generated with the change of WhatsApp policies has its origins in this regard.

---

_Source

Abuse

These algorithms can reduce costs by adapting the needs to the services, the problem is that some platforms infringe the rights of consumers to invade privacy and direct the use of the web, through the improper application of said algorithms.

It is possible to create a monopoly on Internet traffic at levels never before imagined by manipulating personal information. This is a multimillion-dollar business both for companies that can gain more customers by increasing their exposure levels and for companies who can see this valuable and privileged information, turning netizens into a kind of merchandise where they are only seen as figures of money and not as people.

---

Summary

It may be necessary to establish a comprehensive supervision system so that algorithmic applications are governed by rules and regulations, and in this way protect the rights of consumers, although for this a legal framework with international protocols should be established, which implies coordination between countries through a legal entity that can direct them.

Until now, this body does not exist and its creation would imply efforts of great coordination and logistics, as well as a robust technological base.