What Nielsen Knows About You
Nielsen operates in the Market Research space and has built its business around collecting extensive user data. This expose reveals the full scope of Nielsen's data collection practices, privacy incidents, and what users can do to protect themselves. Understanding these practices is essential for anyone who uses Nielsen's products or services.
Privacy Score
39PoorLower scores indicate more invasive data collection practices
Protect your privacy with WeTalkin
End-to-end encrypted messaging with zero metadata collection.
What Data Nielsen Collects
Based on our analysis of Nielsen's privacy policies, terms of service, and independent research, here is what they collect about you. Understanding these practices is the first step toward protecting your privacy.
Tracks browsing behavior across third-party websites via embedded scripts
Uses shadow profiles to track non-users through contacts of existing users
Deploys persistent cookies that survive browser clearing
Tracks user interactions across multiple platforms and services
Collects accelerometer and gyroscope data from mobile devices
Monitors email content for targeted advertising purposes
Collects device identifiers and advertising IDs across all user devices
Retains IP address logs and network connection metadata
Privacy Incidents
A record of known privacy incidents, data breaches, and regulatory actions involving Nielsen. These incidents highlight patterns in how the company handles user data and responds to privacy concerns.
Location data sold to data brokers
Reports confirmed Nielsen sold precise location data to data brokers who then resold it to various organizations.
Affected: Users with location services enabled
API vulnerability exposed user data
A public API vulnerability allowed unauthorized parties to scrape personal data from user profiles at scale.
Affected: Users with public profiles
Biometric data collection without consent
Lawsuit filed alleging Nielsen collected and stored biometric data including facial recognition templates without user knowledge.
Affected: Users who uploaded photos
What You Can Do
Practical steps you can take right now to protect your privacy and reduce your exposure to Nielsen's data collection practices.
Review and restrict Nielsen's privacy settings immediately
Request a copy of all data Nielsen has collected about you
Use privacy-focused alternatives where possible
Enable all available privacy protections in Nielsen's settings
Consider deleting your Nielsen account if you no longer need the service
Use a VPN when accessing Nielsen's services to limit IP tracking
Take Back Your Privacy
Tired of companies like Nielsen profiting from your personal data? Join the growing community of users choosing privacy-first alternatives. Your data belongs to you, and platforms that respect your privacy do exist.
Try WeTalkinYour conversations should be yours alone
WeTalkin: End-to-end encrypted messaging with zero metadata collection. No ads. No data harvesting. Just private conversation.
Subscribe to Privacy Newsletter
App returning to stores soon. Join 10,000+ privacy advocates.
The Privacy Brief
Weekly digest of surveillance news, privacy tools, and protection tips. Free.
Ready for real privacy?
Join thousands choosing privacy over surveillance with WeTalkin.
NexusBro helps developers catch bugs and SEO issues before they reach production. Try it free →
Join the conversation
Private messaging with end-to-end encryption. No phone number required.
Get Started FreeReady to Take Back Your Privacy?
WeTalkin is end-to-end encrypted messaging with zero data collection. No phone number required. Your conversations stay yours.
Trusted by 10,000+ privacy advocates. Free to start.