The Markup

NEW: State healthcare sites around the country have been quietly sending sensitive user data to Google and LinkedIn. themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/202…

In July 2022, the United Network for Organ Sharing prohibited transplant hospitals from using race-based eGFR calculations. But many physicians and hospital systems are fighting to keep race-adjusted algorithms. bit.ly/4he6pUC 📝 @AnissadMedia & @WordInBlack

Millions of people across the United States are expected to take part in “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration Saturday. Whether you’re going to protest, counter-protest or just watch, here are some simple steps to take to prepare your phone bit.ly/3JaiGwG

As of March 2025, there are 42 risk calculators, 15 medications, five medical devices, five lab test results, and one therapy recommendation that still use race and ethnicity to some capacity in medical decision making. bit.ly/4he6pUC 📝 @AnissadMedia & @WordInBlack

The eGFR, or estimated glomerular filtration rate, is an equation that estimates the percentage of kidney function someone has. For Black people, doctors would increase the value by a few points, simply based on race. bit.ly/4he6pUC 📝 @AnissadMedia 📸 @RitasView_

Black Americans made up more than a quarter of the national transplant list, yet they are far less likely to receive the organs they need to survive. They also account for just 13% of donors. Why? Word in Black has a short survey on barriers to donation: bit.ly/41C3RJg

Dozens of companies are hiding how you can delete your personal data, The Markup and CalMatters found. After our reporters reached out for comment, multiple companies have stopped the practice. bit.ly/4mhf8qK

Data brokers are required by California law to provide ways for consumers to request their data be deleted. But good luck finding them. bit.ly/4mhf8qK

Have you ever posted support for Palestine on Instagram, and then saw engagement on later posts drop? Last year, we published an investigation that found the platform demoted images of the war, deleted captions without warning, and more. bit.ly/4lmzca4

California lawmakers want to ban companies from using data about consumers’ devices like battery life, model and geolocation to set fluctuating prices. Proponents say such “surveillance pricing” is discriminatory. bit.ly/45AErhq 📝 @mayacmiller

.@senaishawahab's SB 259 would prevent retailers from using artificial intelligence to jack up prices using the information stored on customers’ phones. That could include the phone’s battery life, whether it’s an older model and more: bit.ly/45AErhq 📝 @mayacmiller

As colleges further embed ChatGPT and other chatbots into campus life, experts warn lost relationships may become a devastating unintended consequence. themarkup.org/artificial-int…

As colleges further embed ChatGPT and other chatbots into campus life, experts warn lost relationships may become a devastating unintended consequence. themarkup.org/artificial-int…

You can now scan a whole list of URLs to see if they are tracking you using this new Blacklight addition, from the comfort of your very own terminal, without writing any code. themarkup.org/blacklight/202…

The technical blueprint obtained by ProPublica shows that engineers at the agency are preparing to give DHS what it wants: a system that enables massive automated data sharing. By @propublica: propublica.org/article/trump-…

Is your home police department partnering with ICE? Find out: themarkup.org/tools/2025/04/…

As colleges further embed ChatGPT and other chatbots into campus life, experts warn lost relationships may become a devastating unintended consequence. themarkup.org/artificial-int…

Help us investigate how patients opt out of voluntary uses of their data, or get access to their own data. You can reach us via the contact info listed in the story.

During her toddler’s surgery, a researcher wanted copies of the consent forms she just signed, but the staff was preventing her from getting it. What followed was a maze of refusals, misinfo, and dead ends that exposed just how broken the process really is.themarkup.org/hello-world/20…

While most agree there should be consequences for youth offenders, there’s less consensus about what those consequences should be — and a push for reeducation over extreme charges. themarkup.org/artificial-int…

Cal Fire said it’s working on the fixes, but experts said the process of kicking the tires on a chatbot should happen long before procurement begins. themarkup.org/artificial-int…