F.T.C investigating data collectors

RHODE ISLAND (WPRI)-- The Federal Trade Commission is investigating data brokers and how much personal information they are collecting.

The Commission is concerned with how much consumer information 9 major companies are collecting on- and off-line.

The data broker industry is the industry responsible for compiling information on consumers which is then sold to other companies for ad targeting, among other uses.

"We really wanted to look under the hood of these companies and see exactly who they're buying this information from, how much information they have, what they use it for, and who they share it with," FTC spokeswoman Maneesha Mithal said.

The Federal Trade Commission already knows that data collected and sold includes:

• What you buy
• Where you shop
• Where you drive
• Internet searches

It may also include:

• Health problems
• Social networks
• How and when your bills are paid
• Time spent in jail

The Commission is mainly concerned with consumer identity theft.

Depending on what the FTC finds in its investigation, the office tells Eyewitness News it may ask Congress to regulate the data tracking industry more.

If you have a consumer problem you need help solving, contact Call 12 For Action Monday-Thursday from 11am-1pm at (401) 228-1850.