Story perspectives

Privacy Risks Surge: 2025 Sweep Reveals Data Collection Rise

3/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

The 2025 Global Privacy Enforcement Network Sweep (GPEN Sweep) by Hong Kong authorities examined 876 platforms in education and gaming and found more websites and mobile apps collecting children's personal data than a decade ago.
Ada Chung, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Hong Kong, said children’s developing cognitive abilities make them more vulnerable to privacy risks.
The sweep found 41% of platforms require names, up from 29% in 2015.
The sweep found 20% of platforms ask for phone numbers, up from 12% in 2015.
The sweep shows 85% of platforms may share children's data with third parties, up from 51% in 2015.

1 of 1

Story summary

The 2025 Global Privacy Enforcement Network Sweep (GPEN Sweep) by Hong Kong authorities examined 876 platforms in education and gaming and found more websites and mobile apps collecting children's personal data than a decade ago.
Ada Chung, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Hong Kong, said children’s developing cognitive abilities make them more vulnerable to privacy risks.
The sweep found 41% of platforms require names, up from 29% in 2015.
The sweep found 20% of platforms ask for phone numbers, up from 12% in 2015.
The sweep shows 85% of platforms may share children's data with third parties, up from 51% in 2015.