Thoughts on sharing data

During my younger years, I never really thought about the implications of sharing my data.

Back to memory lane: MSN Chat

When MSN Chat was first introduced I was so mind-blown and taken by how cool it was to connect and instantly chat with your loved ones online. However, at the time I never truly understood what sort of data I was giving away and what it means to give away my personal information. To be fair to myself, MSN Chat was relatively new and I was just a child.

Today, I am aware that I share my personal information

What shocks me about myself today is I am actively aware of the data I am giving out, however, I am addicted to using my phone (either on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, e-commerce shops or FaceTime). Without my device I feel quite lost, disconnected and to a certain extent, lonely. Therefore, even though my own behaviour shocks me - it still gives my empty time a meaning.

Is it possible that our lives depends on such a small device and even more so, isn't it quite strange that we give people access to our day-to-day life without caring because we crave these applications?

My thoughts on sharing data

I believe that 'sharing data' is quite a broad topic and one cannot really argue that yes it is okay to do so 100% or no it is not okay to do so 100% (I mean, if you are reading this on LinkedIn, then you are more likely on the yes side than no). It is very dependent on personal judgement and how much information you want to consent to.

What bugs me is that if I want to use applications like Instagram or WhatsApp, I have to provide my details and I don't really know how it is being used. That puts me off... but when I get so sucked into the enjoyment of using these applications then I forget that my information could be misused in the first place. I mean, if you think about the amount of stories these big corporations have misused peoples information, it is scary. BUT, just like anything in life... when it doesn't happen to you then with time you forget and I believe that is why I continue to consent. I simply don't think about it and that is the same for all applications I consent to.

However, if you pay attention to the words I am saying ... I am okay with this give-and-take because I view it as a win-win situation (especially knowing that I can unsubscribe (thank you law) whenever I like). However, what I am very much against is the idea of companies taking my data without my consent or sharing data.

I really believe this is where some companies go beyond and abuse how much data (data breach alert) they take. I can completely understand wanting to provide people with the best user experience or more so, to produce products that are demanded by consumers - but the amount of data companies have on us is abundant and unethical (if you have not yet watched the Social Dilemma, please do - it will guide you through everything).

So my point of view is - if I consented then it is my responsibility, if i do not then I view that as trespassing, broken trust and illegal. It is all about risk/reward.

When is data sensitive?

If you think about the amount of times you are browsing and then companies begin stalking your every move, it is crazy. From the companies perspective, they believe that the more information they have on us the more they can push products that suit us; in the point of the consumer, it becomes tiresome... like a buzzing bee.

• How many times are you on instagram and the newsfeed shows you exactly what you like?
• How many times do you find yourselves talking about this incredible new product and then it appears on Facebook?
• How many times have you browsed an item on Amazon and then you just can't get rid of it appearing everywhere?
• How many times have we gone to a shop and subscribed to their page to get the latest trends, discounts and offerings and then get bombarded with tailored emails?

If you ask me, the answer is... WAY TOO MANY TIMES and we are all victims of this. In my opinion, when I consent to something I would expect an email, a newsletter or something non-invasive. I don't expect the companies to invest so much on paid advertisement that every move is monitored. How many times can someone clear their cookies?

Our privacy concerns

Our lives are no longer private. I do find it freaky that whenever I talk about a product it appears all over my browsers - I believe that is invading my privacy. I would never consent to receiving micro-targeted personal ads and do companies even admit they do this? I don't think so.

So I believe that when you consent to something then yes, we know very well that is being shared - however when we don't consent to it, it makes us question how ethical are the companies in control?

It remains a very relevant issue and I would really be keen to hear your thoughts!