Chealse Manning Puts Big Tech Privacy Under the Spotlight 

Former US Army Intelligence analyst and whistleblower, Chealse Manning, has recently questioned some of the Big Tech privacy practices, criticizing Google and Microsoft for falling behind in data privacy, and in parallel, praising Apple as the leader of user protection. 

“These companies are complicit in creating a surveillance state, and their products reflect a complete disregard for user privacy,” Manning said. 

Chelsea Manning’s words resonate deeply to users as it becomes more and more evident how data collection and Big Tech privacy violations have become central issues in discussions about the technology landscape.  

What Chelsea Manning is telling about this Big tech hypocrisy is true to believe, since she has jeopardized her freedom to leak critical government data information and was imprisoned in 2010. Her experience in consulting and assessing data privacy practices puts her in a position to evaluate Big tech privacy policies. 

Big Tech Companies and Privacy 

Manning accused Google and Microsoft of Big tech privacy violations, as companies do extensive data collection. She further accused these companies of putting profits before allowing the protection of individual rights, insinuating that their business models lived and prospered on user data.  

Manning insisted that both companies often collaborate with government agencies’ requests for data, which ultimately fosters this culture of surveillance. She has given voice in the past to a range of sentiments voicing demands for taking big tech privacy seriously. 

Coming to the fact that she criticized Google and Microsoft for their Big tech privacy, she said “When companies such as Google and Microsoft fail to recognize the inherent risks of their business practices, they put every user at risk”, trying to bring on the table the dangers behind the mass collection of data by these companies and their resultant surveillance.  

Manning said that she doesn’t prefer to recommend Microsoft or Google products and “wouldn’t use Incognito mode or a Chromium browser” if she wanted to browse privately. On the other hand, Harry Halpin, a cryptographer and former senior research scientist at MIT, shared the same sentiment and said that he also does not prefer using Microsoft and Google products due to Big tech privacy concerns. 

Google, Microsoft or Apple? 

Apple has kept itself apart by wearing a more profound attitude toward privacy and security of data. The company has worked hard to paint an image of itself as a protector of user privacy, establishing very strict encryption measures and resisting government demands for its data much more aggressively than its rivals. 

Based on Manning’s experience, she claimed that how Apple is built across its products “is fairly robust and secure” compared to its rival Big tech companies.  

“I’m not saying that you have to go out and buy an iPhone or Apple products — I have no investment in Apple,” Manning told BI. “But I have noticed a remarkable surge in proficiency and focus on providing privacy-based technology in their full stack.” 

The Big tech privacy award might go to Apple. Its recent efforts include features that better lock down privacy and limit the amount of tracking of consumer data, an effort that has positioned it as one of the most forward-thinking companies regarding consumer data protection, so is it making more sense now? 

Final Thoughts 

Big tech and data privacy has long been a debate in the tech industry. The essence of Chelsea Manning’s critique about Google and Microsoft is a huge concern related to surveillance and privacy in the tech industry. While Google and Microsoft remain under accusation in light of the surveillance culture they have created, Apple seems to be leading in the opposite direction.  

What has been said should be a reminder for Big tech companies to put more effort into data privacy, because the future of technology essentially depends on privacy, and all stakeholders should emphasize ethical practices that respect user autonomy and build confidence. 

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