Privacy Audit Reveals How Tech Companies Make Opting Out of Data Sales Needlessly Hard

An Electronic Privacy Information Center audit found that 38 major tech companies—including OpenAI, data brokers Spokeo and Whitepages, and defense contractors—use design tricks to discourage users from opting out of data sales. Hidden account requirements, paywalls, and confusing confirmation steps technically comply with privacy law while blocking actual opt-outs. The gap between what regulations intend and what users experience remains stubbornly wide.