why is it a problem that companies take our data?
In: Technology
It isn’t, as long as you realise that your personal data is valuable and you are effectively swapping that data in exchange for free stuff.
The problem is the transaction is opaque. Google know how much revenue they make per user from different services. But you don’t know how much money they are making from your data.
Most people would not consent to such a transaction normally, because both sides know the value of the transaction. It is of course complicated by the fact that the value of the data to you may well be less than it is to governments, advertisers etc.
However, the fact that Google et al provide loads of cool free stuff because you are the product and you are being sold to pay for it is lost on many.
ELI5: A lot of outrage comes from “companies stealing our data”, what is an actual harmful outcome to me from a company taking my data?
byu/cubiclegladiator inexplainlikeimfive
This thread has several good answers as to why people take issue with it, whilst recognising the good it can do
There’s tons of money being made of personal data…you become the product.
Years ago a professor told me… companies that call to do a quick survey make millions selling that data…that has now moved into the android space and w10.
Because of what they can do with it.
Here is a simple scenario:. They figure out your political leanings, and tailor ads to match. Google is prevelant enough that they could tailor all the ads, and news feeds, search results etc. That creates a huge potential for instilling bias in a consumer base.
Or more commercial they only give you ads for products they want to sell. say you’re looking for a watch and you’re using Google so they only give you Android smart watches. any reviews or listings for Apple watches are listed much much later and not likely to be found.
Another aspect that’s a little less nefarious:. They gather all the location data from your phone. Sandstone in your family requests it, v and gets out. They can easily piece together that you’ve been seeing a doctor or she such detail you’d rather not get out.
Police could (and do) simply buy ribs if useful meta data about you if the open market, essentially surveiling you without a warrant.
It’s a problem because not enough people realize how powerful/dangerous it really is. It’s not just the commercial aspect (which is pretty daunting in itself). It has the “potential” for social construct manipulation, to the likes we have never seen. Subliminal propaganda (to this statue) has never been seen like this before. It’s the greatest weapon the ‘oppressor’ has ever seen and the greatest weapon the ‘oppressed’ will never see
Companies collecting data on you is not really a big problem. It becomes a problem when they make it available to government.
Latest Answers