Privacy - The Markup

Privacy

Google wasn't against this privacy bill, officially. Behind the scenes, it orchestrated opposition

Google organized business owners against California legislation to force its Chrome web browser to safeguard personal data.

September 12, 2025 13:45 ET

A lawmaker, with short blonde hair and wearing black blazer with a purple-patterned scarf, sits behind a dais during a legislative meeting. Other people can be seen in the background.

Privacy

Data brokers face new pressure for hiding opt-out pages from Google

After reporters found dozens of firms hiding privacy tools from search results, US senator Maggie Hassan insists the companies explain their practices—and pledge to improve access to privacy controls.

August 18, 2025 09:49 ET

Illustration of a hand holding a magnifying glass over a group of opt out web pages labeled with phrases like "Opt Out" or "Delete My Data"; the magnifying glass shows a dashed outline of those web pages, conveying that they are concealed

Privacy

We caught companies making it harder to delete your personal data online

Dozens of companies are hiding how you can delete your personal data, The Markup and CalMatters found. After our reporters reached out for comment, multiple companies have stopped the practice.

August 12, 2025 08:30 ET

A person in a white medical coat with a stethoscope uses a tablet, while another individual in a light blue shirt sits nearby. The interaction suggests a consultation or discussion, with the focus on the hands and device rather than faces.

Hello World

During my kid’s surgery, I was denied a copy of my consent form — then sent to a ghost office

Help us understand the challenges patients face opting out of voluntary uses of their data, or getting access to their records.

July 19, 2025 08:00 ET

A view from behind of two rows of cars sitting idle during a traffic jam on a road.

Privacy

California police are illegally sharing license plate data with ICE and Border Patrol

LAPD and the counties of San Diego, Orange, and Riverside have repeatedly shared automated license plate reader data to federal agencies

June 18, 2025 08:00 ET

Photo illustration of a person surrounded by graphic elements that include the U.S. Supreme Courthouse, a hand with a gavel, a dilated eye, a search bar, a bottle with pills floating around, a pregnancy test and a diagram of a uterus; a dotted white line with two location pins runs across the composition

The BreakdownPrivacy

How Do I Protect My Privacy If I’m Seeking an Abortion?

A guide to keeping your plans private through every step of an abortion in any state, including Florida and South Dakota

November 14, 2024 08:00 ET

Privacy

Car Tracking Can Enable Domestic Abuse. Turning It Off Is Easier Said Than Done

Internet-connected cars allow abusers to track domestic violence survivors after they leave

April 30, 2024 11:01 ET

Photo illustration of the silhouette of a head wrapped in square angular brackets, set against a background of apartment buildings

Privacy

Touring a Rental? A Face Scan May Be Required

With the rise of self-guided tours, many companies are requiring facial recognition to see a property

April 17, 2024 08:00 ET

Digital illustration of a security camera attached to Barbie legs, an old-school phone toy with a face attached to it, and a karaoke machine set against a black background of an eye

The BreakdownPrivacy

We Tested Kids’ Smart Toys for Privacy. Here’s How You Can, Too

All you need: your computer or smartphone, some free tools, and your child’s internet- or Bluetooth-connected toy

March 28, 2024 11:01 ET

A photo illustration of a woman wearing a virtual reality headset amidst surveillance imagery on the U.S.–Mexico border.

Hello World

A Virtual Reality Tour of Surveillance Tech at the Border

A conversation with Dave Maass of the Electronic Frontier Foundation

February 24, 2024 08:00 ET