Google and Facebook should pay users for their data

[Ahleckz]

I understand the concept perfectly and that works where the currency is money (because we (mostly) all understand the value of money).

The problem arrises when the currency is personal data. How many people have even *thought* about how much their personal data is worth let alone begun to put a monetary value on it? Very few in comparison to how many people know the value of money. And it’s this ignorance that companies like Google and Facebook rely on.

Luckily the tide is slowly starting to turn and people are starting to begin to be aware of the fact that their personal data has value. And as people become more and more aware of that, questions will be asked as to how much they should be receiving in return for that data, and how people can take control so that they can choose what to sell.

This will likely all require government intervention as the companies raking in the profits from consumer ignorance aren’t going to voluntarily give users these controls.

How do you propose we make money from our data? Who do I sell it to, and how?

Plus, surely the trade off with Facebook/WhatsApp/Google/etc being free is that we are giving them our data for their 'free' service. Rather than pay for it? Yes Google could pay me £10 a month for their service, but then charge me a subscription fee of £120 a year. What's the difference?

 

[mrochester]

They are not making you use their free services. They are giving their services in exchange for your data. I suggest you find another service that you pay for that has no data mining on their service in that case.

I already do that. It’s the people who don’t yet understand the huge value that is derived from their data that these actions are set to benefit the most. Who doesn’t want a free service and some cash in their pocket in exchange for their personal data? Sounds like a win win to me!

 

[mrochester]

The services are free in exchange for the data, that seems fair?

I don’t think they offer enough value. Your personal data is worth more than they give you in return.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

I don’t think they offer enough value. Your personal data is worth more than they give you in return.

Do you know how much it costs to build a data centre for the world that offer these free services?

 

[darkgen]

I already do that. It’s the people who don’t yet understand the huge value that is derived from their data that these actions are set to benefit the most. Who doesn’t want a free service and some cash in their pocket in exchange for their personal data? Sounds like a win win to me!

You're championing this cause for the ignorant masses? Why? Let them live their lives in bliss.

 

[mrochester]

Do you know how much it costs to build a data centre for the world that offer these free services?

Less than the value derived from people’s personal data (to the tune of £26 billion a year).

 

[Ahleckz]

I don’t think they’d get many takers at £120 a year. I’d expect to pay maybe £5pm for all google services that are currently free, and with my data being for sale at £10pm, google would need to offer me their free services A


Less than the value derived from people’s personal data (to the tune of £26 billion a year).

Again though, where can I sell my data?

 

[mrochester]

Again though, where can I sell my data?

Well we’d have data marts where you can choose who (if anyone) to sell your data to. The companies could bid for your information and you could see what they’d be doing with it and how much they’d pay you for it before you decide to sell.

 

[mrochester]

You're championing this cause for the ignorant masses? Why? Let them live their lives in bliss.

I think people should be informed.

 

[darkgen]

I think people should be informed.

I agree. This comes with personal accountability and responsibility when signing up to these services right?

 

[mrochester]

I agree. This comes with personal accountability and responsibility when signing up to these services right?

Definitely, and wider public awareness of the value of personal data.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Less than the value derived from people’s personal data (to the tune of £26 billion a year).

Are you saying £26 billion a year PER SERVICE around the world? You got any clear evidence for this?

 

[darkgen]

Definitely, and wider public awareness of the value of personal data.

So, we're all in agreement. If a private citizen wishes to sign up to these online services; the consent of use is through sharing of personal data. We got there!

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Definitely, and wider public awareness of the value of personal data.

You created a thread then go do something about it. Start with the newspapers and then go make a show about data privacy. Maybe put it on the top 5 TV broadcasting services. Go make loads of advertisements on free services like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram e.t.c.

You can do it. Make it your 2020 resolution to inform the world about data cost to the free services.

 

[mrochester]

So, we're all in agreement. If a private citizen wishes to sign up to these online services; the consent of use is through sharing of personal data. We got there!

Yes, and as people become more and more aware of how valuable their personal data is, they will begin to demand more (such as payment for that information). Couple with regulation to allow people greater control over their personal data, we’ll (hopefully) end up in a situation where users can use their personal information as a currency with full understanding of its value of how it will be used.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

we’ll (hopefully) end up in a situation where users can use their personal information as a currency with full understanding of its value of how it will be used.

Now there's an idea! Buying data off users BRB got to make the platform.

 

[mrochester]

You created a thread then go do something about it. Start with the newspapers and then go make a show about data privacy. Maybe put it on the top 5 TV broadcasting services. Go make loads of advertisements on free services like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram e.t.c.

You can do it. Make it your 2020 resolution to inform the world about data cost to the free services.

I already make people aware of this in my social circle. Its eye-opening how ignorant people are about what information is taken and used and how much money big tech generates from that.

 

[mrochester]

Now there's an idea! Buying data off users BRB got to make the platform.

Now there's an idea! Buying data off users BRB got to make the platform.

You’re probably too soon. The regulation needs to come first that would make this law and require companies to operate under a data mart mode.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

You’re probably too soon. The regulation needs to come first that would make this law.

Wouldn't need a law to buy peoples data. People give it away for free today so what's the difference. It would just need the platform.

I pay YOU for your data.

 

[Diddums]

Do you know how much it costs to build a data centre for the world that offer these free services?

And run. Datacentres cost an absolute mint to run.