How YOUR Personality Became Public Property

Comprehensive Data Collection & Inference Table

CategoryExamples of Data CollectedHow It’s CollectedWhat Can Be Inferred?Who Collects It?
Personal InformationFull name, age, gender, phone number, email, address, date of birth, social security/national ID (sometimes)Provided at sign-up, account settings, government-linked servicesIdentity verification, risk profiling, marketing segmentationSocial media (Facebook, LinkedIn), search engines (Google), e-commerce (Amazon, eBay)
Demographics & PreferencesEthnicity (sometimes inferred), religion, political affiliation, relationship status, sexual orientation (if shared or inferred from content)User-provided info, post analysis, surveys, interaction patternsVoting behavior, product interests, susceptibility to certain adsFacebook, TikTok, Google, ad networks
Browsing & Search HistoryWebsites visited, links clicked, time spent per site, pages viewed, scroll depthCookies, tracking pixels, browser fingerprintingPolitical opinions, shopping habits, entertainment preferencesGoogle, Bing, Facebook, ad networks, ISPs
Search Engine QueriesSearch terms, autocomplete suggestions used, voice searches, click-through choicesSearch engine logs, browser history trackingPersonal concerns, health conditions, upcoming travel, intent to buyGoogle, Bing, DuckDuckGo (limited), Yahoo
Social Media ActivityPosts, comments, likes, shares, reactions, video watch history, private messages (sometimes analyzed)Direct interaction tracking, AI-based analysisPersonality type, hobbies, social circle, emotional stateFacebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat
Friends, Connections & NetworksFriend lists, followers, interactions, frequency of communicationUser-provided, behavioral analysisCloseness of relationships, influence level, potential advertising targetsFacebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter (X)
Device & App UsageDevice model, OS, installed apps, app usage time, software updatesDevice ID tracking, app permissions, mobile OS logsTech-savviness, preferred brands, security risk levelsGoogle (Android), Apple (iOS), app developers
Purchase & Financial DataOnline purchases, payment methods, card details, billing address, saved shopping cartsE-commerce transactions, payment gateway trackingSpending habits, financial stability, likelihood to buy premium productsAmazon, eBay, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Shopify
Ad Engagement & InterestsAds viewed/clicked, purchase predictions, conversion trackingBrowser cookies, ad trackers, pixel trackingLikelihood to respond to marketing, future purchasesFacebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, ad networks
Location & Movement DataReal-time GPS, IP-based location, WiFi signals, Bluetooth beacons, frequently visited placesGPS tracking, IP logs, app permissionsInferences: Home & work address, daily routine, preferred stores, nightlife habits, commuting patterns, travel history, income level (based on visited areas)Google Maps, Facebook, Apple, ISPs, ride-sharing apps
Behavioral & Psychological DataPersonality predictions, emotional analysis, mood tracking, inferred stress levelsAI-based analysis of posts, reactions, search behaviorInferences: Mental health status, susceptibility to emotional ads, likelihood of engagement in political causesFacebook, TikTok, Instagram, Google
Health & Fitness DataSteps, heart rate, sleep patterns, menstrual cycles, exercise history, medical history (sometimes)Wearable devices, health apps, smartwatches, medical service appsInferences: Risk for diseases, fitness level, lifestyle habits, pregnancy (based on tracking patterns)Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, MyFitnessPal
Voice Data & Smart AssistantsVoice recordings, speech patterns, stored commands, AI transcription of conversationsSmart speakers, voice assistants, AI-powered appsInferences: Topics of interest, emotional tone, household dynamicsAlexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Biometric DataFace recognition, fingerprint scans, iris scans, voice IDSecurity features, app permissionsInferences: Unique identification, physical health analysis, potential security risksApple Face ID, Facebook (face tagging), Google Photos, airport security
Audio & Video SurveillanceHome security cameras, public CCTV, facial recognition in crowdsSecurity cameras, AI recognition softwareInferences: Daily activities, people you interact with, home security risk assessmentRing (Amazon), Google Nest, city surveillance systems
Employment & Professional DataJob title, workplace, salary (sometimes inferred), career history, skills, performance reviewsLinkedIn, job boards, HR systemsInferences: Industry influence, job-switching likelihood, salary negotiation potentialLinkedIn, HR databases, recruitment platforms

Expanded Inferences from Location History

Type of MovementPossible Inferences
Regular visits to the same place at nightHome address
8+ hours at a location dailyLikely workplace
Frequent visits to high-end areasHigher income level
Shopping at budget stores vs. luxury brandsEconomic class & spending habits
Visits to medical facilitiesHealth conditions (e.g., therapy, specialist visits)
Travel patterns (international vs. domestic)Wealth, job type (remote worker, frequent business traveler)
Visits to gyms, parks, yoga studiosInterest in fitness & wellness lifestyle
Attendance at political rallies or religious placesPolitical and religious affiliations
Frequent late-night movementNightlife habits, party lifestyle
Rare movement outside homeWork-from-home status, possible health concerns

Why Does This Matter?

  • Many of these inferences aren’t explicitly collected but are derived from the data.
  • Advertisers, governments, and companies use this data for targeted marketing, predictive behavior models, and surveillance.
  • Some of this data can be used to manipulate user behavior, including showing tailored political ads, influencing spending habits, or even predicting life events (like pregnancy or divorce).


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