We Have Reached the Point Where People Have Stockholm Syndrome for Their Data

How many times have I heard:

• “It’s too late.”
• “All your data is already out there.”
• “People just scroll down and tick the box — just for the promise of a small benefit.”
• “You got scanned and fingerprinted at the airport; it’s over.”

These aren’t just casual remarks — they’re a symptom of something deeper a connundrum. People are tired, weary from the constant breaches, hacks, and misuse of their data, yet they’ve developed a kind of Stockholm syndrome, identifying with and even defending the exploiters of their information. It’s as if we’ve collectively accepted that surrendering our most private details is just the price of living in the digital age.

Well, I say No, it’s not and I am saying it Loud.

This week, yet another massive data breach made headlines in India. Star Health’s systems were breached, exposing sensitive medical records to the world. It’s the same story we see over and over again: gigabytes of stolen personal data floating around in some dark web forum, ready to be sold and monetized. And yet, every time, we’re told the same thing — “It’s too late.”

But here’s the thing: it’s not too late.

We’ve just been conditioned to think that it is.

When Did We Agree to This?

Every day, millions of people hand over their personal health data without a second thought. Scroll down, tick the box, and move on. All for the promise of a minor benefit — a discount on an app, an upgrade to a service, or just the path of least resistance to continue using the tools they’re familiar with.

And don't get me wrong that data is crucial for research, crucial for their health provider to assist and deliver care, so I am not saying we shouldn't share our health data. And I certainly do not want to embark on any Don Quixote type crusade here with the windmills of the incumbents, but hear me out.

Have you ever tried to request your own health data from a medical provider? It’s a bureaucratic nightmare. Here’s a typical conversation:

• “Hello, I just did a blood test yesterday. Can I get a copy of the results, please?”
• “They will be sent to your GP.”
• “Can I get a copy to my email?”
• “Normally, we only send them to your GP. You’ll have to ask them.”
• “But it’s my data. Why can’t I have it?”
• “You can fill out a form to request it."

Sound familiar? It’s a 15-minute exercise in frustration just to access something that is rightfully yours. Normally you walk away with a CD or a computer print out (last time I had to go buy a CD player to visualise my own MRI records !), Why? Because in the current system, health data isn’t really yours at all. It’s owned by the institutions that collect it, governed by regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, which do a good job of setting rules for how it’s managed, but don’t guarantee you control it.

And even when data is supposedly “protected” under these regulations, it’s still traded and sold behind the scenes. As long as it’s de-identified and anonymized, it can be used for research, for business, for profit. But did you see a penny of that? Of course not. You agreed somewhere in the fine print of a long document you never read.

Health Data Should Be a Public Good — Controlled by the Individual

There’s a popular phrase that says, “Data is the new oil.” As someone who’s generally a pretty hard-core capitalist, even I think this is where the system needs to be turned on its head. We need to be socialists about this one. Health data is a public good. It should benefit the individuals who generate it, not just the corporations that collect it. After all don't governments and tax payers end up footing the bill for the cost of healthcare? A public good it is.

The SymbionIQ? Foundation’s mission is to put power back where it belongs — in the hands of the people. We’re not just trying to build another app or health platform; we’re building a complete reimagining of how health data is stored, shared, and monetized. This is where NeoXR? comes in.

Why SymbionIQ? and NeoXR? Are Different

We don’t want to just protect your health data — we want to empower you with it. Our NeoXR? ecosystem is a decentralized data architecture that gives every individual the ability to own, manage, and share their health data on their terms using a health wallet we called NeoLife?. Think of it as a neutral health ecosystem — a Linux Like Open-Source, privacy-first foundation where individuals can aggregate their health and wellness data, interact with professionals, and even contribute to research if they choose.

Instead of being held hostage by data controllers, you become the custodian of your own health information.

Our platform leverages the best of blockchain technology, including zero-knowledge proofs and encryption to ensure that your data is secure, private, and truly owned by you. And we’re not stopping there. With tools like our Virtual Human Interface (VHI?), you can interact with your data, ask questions, and get AI-driven insights that are personalized and actionable. Imagine being able to chat with your digital twin or seamlessly share your information with a new healthcare provider — all with just a click, without losing control over who sees it.

Building a Health Data Economy for the Future

What we need is a new kind of health data economy. Imagine being able to monetize your anonymized health data, not as some passive product, but as an active participant in a marketplace that values your contributions. This isn’t just about cutting-edge technology — it’s about creating an entire economic model that rewards individuals, funds preventive health measures, and supports longevity research.

No more exploitation. No more Stockholm syndrome. Just you in control of your own health journey. Data is the new Oil and you are operating your own Rig in a community of Rigs and Rig operators.

It’s Time for a New Approach to Health Data

This approach is helping us turn the system on its head and make people the true custodians of their own health data. Imagine a world where your health data is truly yours — where your information isn’t locked in some bureaucratic labyrinth, where you don’t have to fill out forms just to see what’s rightfully yours, and where your data generates value for you, not for some faceless corporation.

That’s the future we’re building at The SymbionIQ? Foundation. It’s ambitious. It’s going to take time. But it’s possible. And we’re just getting started. So, if you’re tired of the way things are, if you want to be a part of something different, join us. Together, we can build a health system that finally puts the people at the center.

Because it’s not too late — it’s never too late to take back control.

Join the conversation and comment below.

*no AI were abused or exploited in the making of this illustration