Internet browsing data is being collected and sold in much greater detail than previously thought, increasing the likelihood that individuals’ identities in sensitive professions can be ascertained from the anonymised information, according to a report
Web users have for years been grouped by data brokers by traits such as their broad professional sector or interests, inferred from their browsing history. This anonymised information is then sold to advertisers so they can target specific categories, or segments, with personalised marketing.
An investigation by the non-profit Irish Council for Civil Liberties to be published on Tuesday shows data on many specific influential professions that was not previously known is now being sold in this way.