FTC report says social media companies engaged in “vast surveillance” of users

(CNN)– A new Federal Trade Commission staff report says major social media and video streaming services conducted vast surveillance of users to monetize their personal information.

The report analyzed how 9 companies including Meta, Youtube, and Tiktok all collect and use data.

The FTC said that while the companies make a lot of money by harvesting personal data, it can put people’s privacy in danger and expose them to things like identity theft and stalking.

The report also said several of the firms failed to adequately protect children and teens.