Somethimes we know it happens we just don't know how often or how much

Image source : http://37signals.com/svn/posts/2844-a-cartoon-by-hugh-macleod-the-idea

 

Two recent articles of note on data collection

The Most Important Tech Company You've Never Heard Of Describes a Delaware-based company that has quietly become one of the major players in surveillance infrastructure — but they've been so under the radar. Meet Neustar, one of the most important companies you've never heard of. Here is their SEC filing  

Cellphone Companies Will Share Your Location Data – Just Not With You

As they note in their privacy policies, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile all analyze your information to send you targeted ads for their own services or from outside companies. At least tens of thousands of times a year, they also hand cellphone location information to the FBI or police officers who have a court order. In the article they ask Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile two questions about releasing data, worth a read.