Brookman pointed out that both Google and Facebook have begun including more intuitive notification methods.

A Google spokesman pointed to those features, and said its "privacy center, published FAQs, Help Center articles, Good to Know website and in-product notifications help explain what data we collect, how we use it and how people can manage their information."

Facebook has also moved toward including more information about how users' information can be accessed. The company did not respond to a request for comment.

The IDG News Service