Today is International Data Privacy Day – so it’s a good day to think about all the information Big Tech companies like Google collect about you, how they profit from it, and the potentially harmful implications of this information falling into the wrong hands.

And earlier this week, another calendar milestone of note occurred: the would-be 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Since Roe was overturned, fourteen states have enacted complete abortion bans, with many more significantly restricting access. [1]

Unfortunately, as our groundbreaking research has shown, Google is still failing to protect the privacy of abortion seekers by not consistently deleting Location History for trips to abortion clinics and other medical facilities. [2] So any Google account holder who still has Location History turned on – which is the default setting – and who seeks any kind of reproductive health care is potentially at risk of having their data retained

This is unacceptable and we’re fighting back. If you can, please chip in a donation to Accountable Tech now to help us hold Big Tech accountable by shining a light on the unexpected collection of sensitive location data and other private information.

Accountable Tech has been working on this issue for quite some time now, starting with our widely-covered investigation last year into exactly how Google is still retaining this sensitive data, despite their previous promises to automatically delete it. [3] And more recently, we've joined forces with the Electronic Privacy Information Center to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, urging an investigation into Google's access to – and retention of – granular user location data and its failure to uphold promises, particularly concerning personal health location data. [4]

The simple fact is that Big Tech companies like Google cannot be trusted to protect the privacy of millions of users who rely on their products daily. So on this International Data Privacy Day, it’s vital that we fight against the weaponization of our private information by Big Tech and assert the right to control our own data.

This won’t be an easy fight; we’re up against some of the richest corporations on the planet, who have armies of lobbyists in Washington, and deep pockets with which to buy political favors.

Please chip in today to help us hold powerful Big Tech companies accountable and ensure they live up to their privacy commitments.

Thank you in advance for any support you can provide,

1. The Guardian: Abortion rights across the US: we track where laws stand in every state

2. The Guardian: Google promised to delete location data on abortion clinic visits. It didn’t, study says

3. NBC News: Accountable Tech's Aditi Ramesh on NBC News