Leaked: Porn’s Private User Data
Is “private browsing” really private? Not at all, according to a recent research study. Research from 2019 reveals that 93% of porn websites leak their user data to third parties, including:
- Facebook and other social media platforms
- Web analytics providers such as Oracle and Cloudflare
- A variety of online advertisers
And yes, this is happening even while users are browsing in private or incognito mode. So while porn users’ local browsing history is erased, their data is still tracked and shared with other interested parties.
According to the research done by a team of experts from Microsoft, the University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University, only 17% of top adult websites are encrypted and have the presence of a privacy policy. Additionally, only 11% of third-party trackers list their own privacy policy.
How It Works
When websites aren’t encrypted and tracking cookies are employed (which is the case for 79% of third-party sites), user data is transmitted from a porn URL. This is done when code is embedded in a website to help recognize repeat visitors, keep a user logged in, or record user preferences.
What data can be gathered via this method?
- Specific genders
- Sexual identities or orientations
- Specific sexual characteristics
- Topics of interest/focus
- Types of device used
- IP addresses
- URLs the user has accessed
Once this data is gathered, it’s standard to share it with advertisers for targeted ads, analytics companies who make assumptions about users, and other companies who make a profit from selling it.
Why Is Data Leakage a Problem?
When it comes to the data gathered via pornographic browsing, there are some big problems.
First, the information is extremely personal in nature. Second, the data can end up in the wrong hands. Third, researchers are concerned that the collected data could lead to those with “non-normative” sexual interests being tracked and even facing consequences in their personal or professional lives if this data were somehow made public. This means privacy leaks may open the door to discrimination or exploitation of users, with marginalized groups at the most risk.
An Unbalanced Power Dynamic
Since privacy policies are not present, are hidden, or are hard to understand, they intentionally leave users vulnerable. One of the researchers of the study, Dr. Elena Maris, states that not understanding or agreeing to a site’s privacy policy keeps power in the hands of the company. In a way, visiting a porn site is a sexual exchange, and consent should be implicit and clear on the part of the user. This can’t be the case if they don’t know what they’re agreeing to. The website holds all the power here.
The big questions are:
- Why are large companies collecting private and sensitive information from porn users?
- Are they collecting it intentionally or unintentionally?
- For what purpose is this aggregated data being used?
The Porn Industry Approves
Since so many porn websites aren’t secure or clear about their intentions, they’ve made it clear that digital privacy and consent aren’t of any real concern to them. This is just one more example of why consuming porn isn’t worth the risks of being hacked, exposed, or exploited.
Fight the New Drug encourages everyone to keep their private information safe, and one way to do that is by refusing to browse for pornography.
