Ethical/Social Issues Around Data Collection Practice Test

An e-commerce website tracks what shoppers view, how long they pause, and which items they abandon. It stores purchase history, approximate location, and device details, then uses this profile to personalize prices and advertisements. The site offers a small “cookie settings” link, but it is easy to miss, and the default setting allows most tracking. Some customers enjoy relevant recommendations, while others feel manipulated or monitored without meaningful choice. Based on the passage, what solution could address the ethical issue identified in the scenario?

A social media platform encourages users to add contacts and “find friends.” It scans uploaded address books to match phone numbers and emails with existing accounts. The company says this helps users connect quickly and reduces fake accounts. The upload screen appears as a pop-up with a bright “Allow” option and a less visible “Skip” link. Some users do not realize they are sharing information about people who never joined the platform. Later, a user’s classmate receives friend suggestions that reveal a private phone number was connected to a certain account. The platform states it does not sell contact lists, but it uses them to improve recommendations and advertising audiences. Parents and students debate whether convenience justifies collecting data about nonusers. Based on the passage, what ethical concern is highlighted by the data collection process described?