US demands data collection info from online giants

Topics of scrutiny will include what social media and video streaming services do with information about users, as well as how they determine which ads people see, and their tactics for promoting engagement, according to the FTC. — AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: The US Federal Trade Commission on Monday sent orders to Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other Internet giants demanding troves of information about their data collection, ad practices, and user engagement.

The orders endorsed by four of the five FTC commissions were sent under the authority of a federal act that lets the agency conduct studies for legislators to have on hand when crafting relevent laws.