The Markup

An illustration of a cartoon figure with a star-shaped head as they walk throw a row of trees, where unidentified hands hold up post-it notes with personal information about the star-shaped figure.

Privacy

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 many other characteristics.

September 16, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

Two purple hands: one holds a phone reading “COVERAGE: REJECTED. HAVE A NICE DAY!,” the other holds a cereal box labeled “CEREAL, PRIZE INSIDE!” with a sticky note reading “BMI 31” circled in red.

Privacy

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.

September 16, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

A group of students lying in the grass near a sidewalk, looking at a cellphone while a man runs past them.

Privacy

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.

July 28, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

An illustration shows a person using a laptop in front of a blurred California privacy website, with yellow pixel-like blocks scattered across the image to suggest digital data. The stylized artwork uses a limited color palette and visual elements that evoke online privacy and information security.

Hello World

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.

June 30, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

An illustrated composite image shows two people in conversation, one taking notes while the other appears distressed. Audio waveforms, a microphone icon and the word “REC” are layered over the scene, suggesting a recorded or transcribed discussion.

Privacy

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.

June 16, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

Illustration of Alice from Alice in Wonderland, dressed in a patient gown, falling down a rabbit hole surrounded by buttons that say “I accept” and privacy policies

Privacy

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.

May 27, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

A woman wearing glasses speaks into a microphone during a congressional hearing while holding a blue pen in one hand. A nameplate reading “MS. HASSAN” sits in front of her as other attendees appear out of focus in the background.

Privacy

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.

May 22, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

Privacy

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.

April 21, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

A roadside device mounted on a small trailer sits on the shoulder beside a two-lane road as a blurred van drives past, with utility poles, trees, and rocky hills in the background under a clear sky.

Privacy

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.

March 6, 2026 8:00 a.m. UTC

Privacy

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 databases.

February 27, 2026 1:15 p.m. UTC