A significant challenge we face today, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), is the issue of data privacy. As AI systems sift through massive amounts of user information, they often give rise to ethical, legal, and surveillance related concerns. This essay delves into the complex intersection of individual rights and technological progress by examining the landscape of international privacy laws, corporate policies, and innovative advancements. Through real world examples, including Amazon’s problematic hiring algorithm and Meta’s extensive data tracking practices, we uncover ethical shortcomings and suggest models for user led AI governance. Our study highlights the urgent need for clear data dashboards, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and AI driven privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) to establish new ethical standards in our increasingly digital world.