How Big Tech Is Collecting Your Data: What You Need to Know

3 June 2025

Introduction

Ever wondered how your phone seems to know exactly what you want to buy before you even search for it? Or why your Facebook feed is packed with ads that feel eerily personal? That’s because Big Tech is constantly collecting your data—whether you realize it or not.

The truth is, companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Apple (just to name a few) track and store an overwhelming amount of personal information. But how do they do it? Why do they need it? And most importantly—how can you protect yourself?

Let’s dive deep into how Big Tech collects your data, what they use it for, and how you can take back control of your privacy.

How Big Tech Collects Your Data

1. Web Browsing & Search History

Whenever you search for something on Google, visit a website, or even just scroll through a page, you're leaving digital breadcrumbs. Here’s how:

- Search Engines: Google, Bing, and other search engines store your search queries, clicks, and even how long you stay on a page.
- Cookies & Tracking Pixels: Websites use cookies and tiny tracking pixels to monitor your behavior, remembering what you like, where you go, and what you do online.
- Browsing Fingerprinting: Even if you disable cookies, companies can use fingerprinting—analyzing your device, browser, and settings—to track you.

2. Social Media Activity

Every post you like, comment on, or share is recorded. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter all gather data on:

- Who you interact with the most
- What kind of content keeps you engaged
- How long you spend on different posts
- Your location and device details

Ever notice that after liking a few posts about pets, your feed gets flooded with dog videos? That’s the algorithm at work, powered by massive data collection.

3. Smartphone Apps & Permissions

Many apps ask for permissions they don’t actually need. A simple weather app might request access to your contacts, microphone, or camera. Sounds unnecessary, right? But here’s why:

- Location Data: Apps sell your GPS location to advertisers and data brokers.
- Microphone Access: Some apps have been caught passively listening for keywords to target ads better.
- Contacts & Messages: Some apps scan your contact list to create social graphs of who you communicate with.

4. Voice Assistants & Smart Devices

Ever had a conversation about buying a new coffee machine, and the next thing you see is an ad for one? Voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant are always listening—for a "wake word," sure, but also for marketing purposes. Smart home devices like doorbells and cameras sometimes send data back to the companies that made them.

5. Purchases & Online Shopping

When you shop online (or even just browse), companies track:

- What you search for
- What you add to your cart
- What you buy (and how often)
- Your payment method and address

Amazon, in particular, has a massive database of consumer trends, allowing them to predict what products will be in demand before people even realize they need them.

6. Location Tracking

Your phone’s GPS, WiFi connections, and even Bluetooth signals can pinpoint your exact location. Companies use this data to:

- Send you location-based ads
- Track your habits (e.g., when you go to work, your favorite stores, or the routes you take)
- Sell your data to third-party companies that analyze and use it for marketing purposes

7. Emails & Cloud Storage

Your emails aren’t as private as you think. Gmail and other email services scan your inbox for keywords to personalize ads. And if you store documents in the cloud (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud), those services may analyze them to improve their AI models.

Why Do They Collect Your Data?

1. Targeted Advertising

Simply put—your data is gold for advertisers. The more they know about you, the better they can target ads that make you more likely to spend money.

2. Product & Service Improvement

Companies claim they use data to improve their services, refine AI algorithms, and personalize user experiences. While this might be true, it also creates a world where we’re constantly being manipulated into seeing only what benefits the platforms.

3. Reselling Data to Third-Parties

Data brokers buy and sell massive amounts of user data, creating detailed profiles on individuals. These profiles can include everything from your shopping habits to your political opinions, and they’re often used without your explicit consent.

4. Government & Law Enforcement Requests

Big Tech companies often comply with government requests for user data. While this is sometimes necessary for criminal investigations, it also raises concerns about mass surveillance and privacy risks.

How to Protect Your Privacy Online

Now that you know how your data is being collected, here are some practical steps to safeguard your privacy:

1. Limit App Permissions

Only grant apps the permissions they absolutely need. If a flashlight app asks for location access—red flag!

2. Use Private Browsing & Search Engines

Consider privacy-focused browsers like Brave and search engines like DuckDuckGo, which don’t track your search activity.

3. Opt-Out of Ad Tracking

Go to your Google, Facebook, and Apple settings to disable personalized ad tracking. It won’t stop data collection entirely, but it minimizes targeting.

4. Use a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) masks your IP address, making it harder for websites and companies to track your online activity.

5. Disable Location Services When Not Needed

Many apps track your location even when you're not using them. Turn off location services for apps that don’t need it.

6. Use Encrypted Messaging & Email Services

Apps like Signal and ProtonMail offer end-to-end encryption, making it harder for third parties to snoop on your messages.

7. Be Careful What You Share

Think twice before posting personal information online. Even seemingly harmless details can be used to build a profile on you.

8. Regularly Clear Cookies & Cache

Websites track you using cookies—clearing them frequently reduces how much data they can collect.

9. Audit Your Accounts & Devices

Review which services you’ve signed up for and remove those you no longer use. Also, check what devices are connected to your accounts.

10. Stay Informed & Use Privacy Tools

There are tools designed to help protect your online privacy, like uBlock Origin (ad blocker), Privacy Badger (anti-tracking), and Tor Browser (for anonymous browsing).

Final Thoughts

Big Tech thrives on your data, and most of us give it away without thinking twice. While it’s nearly impossible to go completely off the grid, taking small steps can significantly reduce your digital footprint.

You wouldn’t hand out your home address, credit card details, and private conversations to a stranger—so why let tech giants have it for free? Start taking control of your privacy today!