Data lets businesses track your behaviour, online and offline, and build up an accurate profile of you, including your age, sex, income, where you go, what you buy, what interests you. They can then tailor their marketing and decision-making just for you – from personalising the ads you see on social media to knocking back your home-loan application. Like it or not, data affects every aspect of your life, which is why you need to know about it.
How your data is used
How your data is used
Your data is a precious commodity for marketeers and algorithm builders.
Articles
Should you trust an AI chatbot with your mental health?
Millions are using Headspace, Wysa, Youper and other popular therapy chatbots, but can AI replace a professional counsellor?
Digital doppelgangers throwing lives into chaos
A recent ruling says that Services Australia has a duty to prevent your records from getting mixed up with another person’s.
Bunnings facial recognition program ruled illegal
In a case exposed by CHOICE, the privacy commissioner has found the business breached the Privacy Act.
Real estate agency doxxes tenant after negative review
In a case that ended up with the OAIC, a real estate agency published a renter's personal information in an act of retaliation.
Wait, what's in my cart? The hidden cost of website 'dark patterns'
A guide to the deceptive design tricks to watch out for when shopping online.
Does Netflix track your personal data?
We take a look at the information Netflix is collecting about you, and why.
Photos of Australian kids found in huge AI training data set
Human Rights Watch says that photos of Australian kids have been used without consent. What can you do about it?
What are mental health apps doing with your data?
Academics have raised concerns about the data collection and use policies of some popular mental health apps.
RentTech platforms: How your data is used against you
Rental application platforms make data-driven decisions that can exclude certain applicants.
Privacy commissioner orders tenancy database operator to delete renter's data
The business was found to have held on to information more than twice as long as allowed.
Did online therapy provider BetterHelp breach Australian laws?
The therapy platform was fined almost $12 million in the US for illegal data sharing.
Worried your address, birth date or health data is being sold? You should be
Australians don’t know and can’t control how data brokers are spreading our personal information.
RentTech platforms have your data, whether you like it or not
The privacy policies of popular rental platforms raise questions about what the providers are doing with your personal data.
Predatory advertising targets financially vulnerable Australians
Australians struggling to make ends meet are being segmented into categories such as 'struggleville' and 'slender meanz'.
Facial recognition technology in use at major Australian stadiums
Sensitive biometric data is being collected by stadiums across the country, with consumers largely left in the dark.
RentTech platforms making renting that much harder
A new CHOICE report reveals the increasing dominance of third-party rental platforms and their discriminatory impacts on prospective tenants.
Fertility apps and your privacy
We examine 12 popular fertility apps to see what they do with the sensitive data they collect.
Rental agents shifting costs to renters
RentTech platforms can charge extra to make rental payments, and add on late fees that can contribute to financial hardship.
Op-ed: Reform needed to curb marketing of alcohol, gambling and junk food online
Research from FARE and VicHealth shows that people seeking to reduce their use are concerned by targeted digital marketing.
Op-ed: How digital marketing of alcohol, gambling and junk food harms consumers
Researchers are lifting the lid on online ads for alcohol and other harmful products.
Subscription traps catching out consumers online
Subscription traps are just one of the many so-called ‘dark patterns’ deceiving consumers online.
Kmart and Bunnings back down on facial recognition after CHOICE investigation
The two retail giants had initially resisted calls to stop using the controversial technology.
How cashback sites use your data
Apps and sites like Cashrewards and ShopBack may save you a little on your shopping, but what do you give up in return?
Kmart, Bunnings and The Good Guys using facial recognition technology in stores
Three major retailers in Australia are using facial recognition technology, often without shoppers realising.
Push for new law to regulate facial recognition technology in Australia
Academics have written a model law suggesting how the regulation of facial recognition technology could work.
Online consumers harmed by 'dark patterns' in web design
New research shows people are experiencing harm due to deceptive web design, also known as 'dark patterns'.
Woolworths, Coles, Aldi: No plans to use facial recognition technology
We reveal the retailers not using facial recognition in their stores, as Bunnings and Kmart pause using the controversial technology in response.
Op-ed: Just how much does Airbnb need to know?
Companies such as Airbnb should be collecting only the information they need to provide their service – nothing more.
Is Airbnb using an algorithm to ban users from the platform?
Airbnb may be using automated decision-making to leave some users out in the cold.
Op-ed: Why we need better oversight of targeted online advertising
Researchers are shining a light on Facebook's dark ads.
Tinder charges older people more
A CHOICE mystery shop reveals the dating app's pricing model could fall foul of discrimination laws.
Global report reveals Tinder Plus price discrimination rampant
After a CHOICE investigation, a global consumer group has found Tinder price discrimination in five out of six countries surveyed.
Op-ed: Tinder's misuse of data leaves a lot to be desired
Tinder should be transparent about how and why they charge different prices for the same product.
Targeted pricing online
Why you could be paying a higher price for online goods and services without knowing.
How Australians feel about being charged different prices for the same goods
Our latest survey shows most people don't want to be charged a different price for the same product than someone else.
Op-ed: Tinder's secret pricing shows how companies use our data against us
CHOICE director of campaigns Erin Turner calls for ethical data use.
Open banking is coming, and it could save you money
How gaining control of your data might help you get a better deal from the banks.
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