PIRG’s Gen Z Privacy Leaders Internship Program
Every semester, PIRG’s privacy program recruits college-aged students across the country to become leaders in the fight for data privacy and tech regulation. Interns help conduct important research and develop ideas for written pieces about data privacy and social media they feel will be compelling to their peers. It’s easy to feel like data harvesting is just the cost of living connected lives, and there’s nothing we can do. But that’s not true – and no one is better positioned to inspire Gen Z to care about data privacy and fight for tech that serves the public interest than Gen Zers themselves.
Below is a round up of some of the content, research and tips created by our Gen Z privacy leaders.
My internship with PIRG empowered me to feel like I could make a difference on data privacy. It was exciting to see my research & writing used by other advocates and up on the PIRG site. I always felt like my work was valued and actually useful for the campaign, which meant a lot to me.Ellen Hengesbach
Policy intern, Summer 2023
Articles
What the Barbie movie won’t tell you about Barbie’s past data privacy issues
How misinformation on social media has changed news
Explainers
Demystifying TikTok data collection
Why are data breaches bad?
Personal Pieces
I deleted my Instagram as a teenager – here’s why
Tips
How to request and download your Instagram data
How to stop Instagram from harvesting so much of your data
How to request and download your Facebook data
What the Colorado Privacy Act Means for You
Research
VR risks for kids and teens
PIRG and CDD’s comments to the CFPB on data broker dangers
Breaking News Alerts
$3 billion ChatGPT lawsuit highlights AI privacy concerns
Fertility app Premom to pay $200,000 following alleged privacy violations
Microsoft pays $20 million after alleged Xbox kids privacy violations
FTC complaint exposes alleged privacy violations at genetic testing company
Proposed FTC order would ban Meta from monetizing minors’ data
Topics
Authors
R.J. Cross
Director, Don't Sell My Data Campaign, PIRG; Policy Analyst, Frontier Group
R.J. focuses on data privacy issues and the commercialization of personal data in the digital age. Her work ranges from consumer harms like scams and data breaches, to manipulative targeted advertising, to keeping kids safe online. In her work at Frontier Group, she has authored research reports on government transparency, predatory auto lending and consumer debt. Her work has appeared in WIRED magazine, CBS Mornings and USA Today, among other outlets. When she’s not protecting the public interest, she is an avid reader, fiction writer and birder.
Find Out More
School air monitoring: A win for public health
Eight legislative victories every Californian should know about
Back to school on an electric bus