Insurance companies collect and aggregate highly sensitive personal data far beyond what most people realize, including protected characteristics, browsing history, and even drone surveillance. This article explores the extent of data collection, its implications, and practical steps individuals can take to protect their privacy and influence government policies.
Insurance companies today collect, buy, and aggregate an astonishing amount of highly sensitive personal data about individuals. The scale of this data collection is so vast that it makes even tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Google appear conservative by comparison. This article delves into the nature of this data collection, the implications for consumers, and what actions you can take to safeguard your privacy.
The catalyst for this discussion was an invasion of privacy policy notice received from an insurance company. Reading through it, the feeling was akin to being stalked. This led to a thought experiment: what if you went on a date with someone who knew as much about you as your insurance company does?
Imagine a conversation where the other person knows your full name, age, religion, marital status, your child's age and school, your birthplace, medical history including treatments for conditions like chlamydia, and even your recent streaming habits and device details. This level of knowledge without your explicit sharing is unsettling.
As a data analytics instructor, it’s clear that data is used to make better decisions. For insurance companies, the key decisions are:
For example, Progressive was an early adopter of vehicle telematics to incorporate driving habits into premium calculations. This innovation has paid off handsomely, with Progressive's stock increasing by 950% over ten years, vastly outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
While it makes sense for insurers to assess risk based on driving behavior, the data they collect goes far beyond this.
Taking Liberty Mutual as a case study, their privacy policy reveals they collect:
Protected characteristics are sensitive attributes like race, religion, ethnicity, age, pregnancy status, and disability. In employment, asking about these can be evidence of discriminatory intent. However, insurance companies openly collect this data, raising questions about how it influences premiums.
Insurance companies have been reported to use drones to fly over homes, capturing images and videos that can affect policy decisions. For instance, a homeowner in Modesto, California, had her 40-year-old policy canceled after a drone spotted debris in her backyard during renovations. This practice is becoming mainstream, raising privacy concerns.
Perhaps most concerning is the collection of data used to infer psychological trends, predispositions, behaviors, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, and aptitudes. This means insurers are not just collecting raw data but analyzing it to predict personal traits.
Insurance companies retain data as allowed by law, but the lack of meaningful legislation on data retention duration is problematic. The insurance industry’s political influence is significant, with over $100 million donated to federal candidates in the 2024 election cycle and over $172 million spent on lobbying efforts.
This extensive lobbying includes nearly 1,000 federal lobbyists, many former government employees, influencing legislation to favor the industry.
The United States government has drifted from its founding principles. Patrick Henry’s 1788 speech emphasized securing liberties as the primary goal of government, not economic growth or power.
To reset government priorities, citizens must engage with the four "boxes" given by the founding fathers:
Many feel elections are about choosing the lesser evil. The challenge is to either run for office yourself or actively support candidates who prioritize liberty and the public good. Starting at local levels like school boards or city councils can build momentum for change.
To minimize your digital footprint and reclaim privacy, consider practical steps such as:
For comprehensive guidance, resources like escapethenocracy.com/reform offer tutorials and privacy products.
Insurance companies collect an unprecedented amount of personal data, often far beyond what is necessary for underwriting and pricing policies. This raises serious privacy concerns and highlights the need for stronger legal protections and greater civic engagement.
By understanding the scope of data collection and actively participating in the democratic process, individuals can work towards a future where privacy is respected and government serves the interests of liberty.
Are you willing to run for office or support candidates who prioritize privacy and liberty? Share your thoughts and join the conversation to help shape a better future.
