Wednesday, January 29th, 2025.
6:00 AM: TikTok and iMessage
TikTok tracks a lot of data, including private messages within the app. iMessage, however, is an encrypted service.
I am ashamed to say that I start my day off by checking my phone notifications and scrolling through social media. Based on the content I interacted with on TikTok, the algorithm will show me videos personalized to my interests and behaviors.
6:20 AM: Peacock
Personal and Behavior Data.
While I make breakfast and eventually get ready for work I enjoy having noise in the background. At the moment, I still pick the show Vanderpump Rules as my background noise of choice.
By watching Vanderpump Rules, Peacock will recommend other reality shows based on my prior viewing behavior.
7:40 AM: Spotify
Personal, Behavior, and Interests Data.
My drive to work is only about ten minutes, which calls for music. This playlist makes me feel confident and energized, perfect for my usual lazy mornings.
Spotify will notify me when artists I listen to release new music or have concerts in my area, as well as create personalized playlists for me based on my behavior and interests.
10:00 AM: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat
Personal, Behavior, Interests, Brands, and Biometric Data.
While on my first break, I scroll through various social media platforms as I eat. On these platforms, I will share content with friends, like and repost content, and occasionally leave comments on posts.
Due to the TikTok ban and the rise of Elon Musk’s political career, I have been more exposed to data collection and what it means to me. Meta has been at the core of several controversies regarding the massive, possibly illegal, collection and processing of data.
The influx of information I have received regarding Meta and other instances of data collection has caused me to go into my phone and change settings to further protect my data and privacy.
4:45 PM: ASU, Google Slides, Zoom, and CapCut
Personal, Behavior, Biometric Data
When I returned home from work, I used the ASU website, Google Slides, Zoom, and CapCut to edit, finalize, and submit a project.
For sites that were referred to me by professors or teaching assistants, I do not worry about what data is being collected.
However, with video editing software CapCut, I was concerned to learn they track users‘ physical and mental health through the content they upload, create, or access.
7:00 PM: YouTube
Personal, Behavior, and Interests Data
To wind down my day, I go on YouTube to watch my favorite virtual pilates instructor, Move with Nicole. Due to my viewing of her content, YouTube will recommend me with related videos and channels.
Recently, I have been reconsidering how I interact with media. Whenever I am on my phone, I get a notification concerning data collection or data breaches and leaked personal information.
This, along with the growing market for buying and selling user data, has forced me to consider removing my presence on social media platforms. I have fallen victim to unknowingly allowing my data to be collected, and it angers me that this has become a new norm.
Rather than exploit natural resources, corporations have found a way to exploit and take advantage of users and their behaviors for monetary gain.
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