World’s largest health appointment platform dumps its web trackers after Markup investigation
Doctoralia said it was removing trackers that communicated with social media companies out of an abundance of caution
What it takes for voters to be resilient against AI misinformation
A conversation with political scientist Thessalia Merivaki
Following Markup investigation, Congress finds data brokers cost consumers tens of billions of dollars
A congressional investigation estimates broker breaches have cost consumers $20 billion in identity theft. Major brokers now promise to make it easier to opt out of their…
Who’s buying your personal data: Disney, GM, your insurer and bank. Here’s what they get
Consumers asked a major data broker for their files. What they got back shows interest in how fat they are, how much they drink, and how likely they are to get a mammogram, among…
It’s easier for Californians to escape data brokers following a Markup investigation
The Markup and CalMatters showed how website code could make it harder for Californians to exercise their right to remove personal data. Now much of that code has disappeared.
The form asked my permission to share my health data. Then it wouldn’t let me say no.
Dark patterns force patients to share their data with big healthcare networks, even when the privacy form they’re signing explicitly says they can opt-out.
The Markup wins SABEW Award for Best in Business Journalism
The 18-month-long investigation about how Tinder, Hinge, and their corporate owner kept rape under wraps won in the technology reporting category.
Your medical provider might be recording your mental health care visits
Mental health providers are increasingly using AI technology to record conversations, raising privacy concerns among patients and practitioners.
Kaiser Permanente nurses say technology is making their jobs — and patient care — worse
Call center nurses at the health giant said workplace surveillance tools and AI prioritize speed and cost savings over quality and safety.
Websites break California privacy law at ‘industrial scale,’ survey finds
Tech companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft are ignoring data controls mandated under California law, researchers say.
Californians can protect their personal data with one click. Help us test if it works
A new state tool lets you tell data brokers to stop tracking you. Will they comply? Help us investigate.
Brazil gives parents social media controls for their kids. Should the US?
California is leading on kids’ data privacy in the U.S. but still lags internationally.
Blacklight, our privacy inspector tool, now tracks X and TikTok pixels
We’ve updated Blacklight, our popular privacy tool, to check for TikTok and X trackers.
Data brokers have detailed files on you. Here’s what’s in them — and how it impacts you
Data brokers collect thousands of details about your finances, health and habits. See what’s in your profile, who buys it and how companies use it.
California colleges spend millions on faulty AI systems: 'The chatbot is outdated’
Community colleges are spending millions on AI-powered chatbots that students say often give inaccurate answers. Many might see upgrades this year.
California tried to protect students’ data. Tech companies found loopholes
A legislative battle is under way over gaps that allow companies to collect and sell students’ personal information.
Defense tech has unleashed a new weapons boom in Southern California
An analysis of defense contracts charts the rise of defense spending — often in heavily Democratic districts
How TikTok and Google ended up with information about doctors’ appointments around the world
Doctoralia sent information about specialists and appointment dates to social media companies.
It was John Wayne’s political club. Now it’s spending millions on online influence
The Lincoln Media Foundation has spent big to push ‘local’ conservative messaging
Background checks to curb dating app violence advance in California legislature
Bill addresses an issue investigated by The Markup last year.
He saw an abandoned trailer. Then, he uncovered a surveillance network on California's border
Southern California residents are noticing new license plate readers that appear to be operated by the Border Patrol. Some have had confusing encounters with agents.