The phrase 'If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product' has never been truer. Data brokers are companies that exist entirely behind the scenes, legally harvesting your data and selling it to the highest bidder.
What Information Do They Collect?
Data brokers scrape public records (marriage licenses, property values), purchase purchase histories from credit card companies, and buy digital profiles from apps and websites.
They aggregate this information to predict your health conditions, political affiliations, income bracket, and even if you are pregnant or looking to buy a house.
How to Stop Them
Unfortunately, because data brokers operate quietly, it requires significant effort to opt-out of their databases. The most proactive step you can take is limiting the data you give away in the first place.
Always scrutinize the privacy policy of apps before you download them. If an app claims the right to 'share data with third-party affiliates', there is a high chance your profile is being sold to a broker.