Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Posted September 2014, Revised September 2014: “Technological advances allow us to do many useful things and to simplify our daily tasks.  The flip-side of these advances in technology is the unprecedented ability to collect, store, manipulate, and disseminate virtually unlimited amounts of data about people.  Numerous companies known as data brokers have entered this business and make money by selling information that they are able to compile.  These companies assemble “digital dossiers” about individuals that may include a surprisingly broad range of information.  Most people have no idea of the extent of this data collection.  It can be challenging, if not impossible, for consumers to escape this collection of personal data.”