Protecting user online privacy through enhanced transparency and accountability

Over the past ten years, people have become much more aware of how their personal data is tracked and collected online. As websites and companies gather more information about users, public concern about privacy has grown. In response, researchers and developers have created tools like ad blockers and privacy-focused browser extensions to help users protect their data. However, many of these tools only work in the browser and don t fully catch what s happening behind the scenes.

To address these growing concerns, governments have introduced privacy laws like the GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California. These laws are meant to give people more control over their data and require companies to be more transparent. But the laws can be vague, and the agencies that enforce them often don t have the tools or staff they need to keep up.

My research focuses on two big questions: Who is collecting your data? And how can we make sure they re following the rules? My answer: First, I build tools that help reveal which companies are tracking users and how information is shared between them. Second, I propose automated tools that help monitor whether companies are following the rules. By working with legal experts and designing systems that are both practical and legally informed, my research aims to make online privacy more transparent, more accountable, and more enforceable.