If my data ‘fuels of the digital economy’, pay me!
At the recent Westminster eForum on the European Data Protection Framework, Nick Stringer, IABUK Director of Regulatory Affairs (@nickstringer), said that personal data was the “fuel of the digital economy”. The thrust of his point being that ‘harder’ consent mechanisms embedded in the new European Data Protection Framework (EDPF) would cut-off this fuel supply and destroy the digital economy.
I would like to explore this idea of digital fuel and in particular the concept of a multi billion dollar economy being given (taking) its fuel for free.
He made the point that without advertising revenue, EU broadband users would need to ‘cough up’ around thirty eight Euros per month to pay for all the ‘services’ we receive today. Fair point – let’s not get hung up on whether it’s thirty eight or fifty Euros, most rational thinkers accept there is a cost in service provision and someone has to pay.
But what is the PROFIT that the industry makes after it has covered its service provision costs. Does the sale/trading of personal data raise significantly greater revenue than that required to deliver the service and make ‘normal’ profit?
Looking at my recent household utility bill, it is clear that ‘fuel suppliers’ expect to be paid handsomely for the fuel we consume.
If personal data fuels the digital economy, am individuals receiving a ‘fair market price’ for this fuel?
With Do-Not-Track (DNT) once again going through the US legislative system, and the Big Browser players fighting over default on/off setting for DNT, I wonder how long before the consumer tide turns? Perhaps I will start today.. sending invoices out along the lines of..
April 2013 – use of browsing habits sold to third party suppliers: £38.00 (plus VAT) – that should balance things out!
GP’s sending sensitve patient data via free email service
They wouldn’t would they? Yes they would. A GP practice in County Armagh is “taking action to improve the way it looks after patients’ information following a breach of the Data Protection Act investigated by the Information Commissioner’s Office.” From the ICO website.. “The breach was caused when a free web-based email account, used by …
Data Protection – Reducing Risk with Reduced Budget
Building a compelling business case for compliance was the theme for our first co-hosted event with Cryptshere and SOCITM. iCompli, Cryptshare and SOCITM North East ‘joined forces’ on 17th April 2013 at the Sunderland Software Centre to deliver an event aimed at bringing customers and suppliers closer together on the issue of staying compliant …
European Data Protection Framework : Westminster eForum 2013
London, March 26th, 2013 The Westminster eForum series of events roles on with a ‘star studded’ head-to-head between UK GOV Lord McNally, EU Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx, and UK Regulator David Smith Deputy Commissioner at ICO. So how was it? What insight and knowledge did we gain from this outing of the heavyweights? …
My favourite cookie banner to-date
The advertising standards authority (ASA) has to have the the worst implementation of an implied consent mechanism I have seen (to date). In case you cannot read the words, here’s what it says in the headline banner .. We are using cookies on our site to provide you with the best user experience. Disabling cookies …
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