Individuals have less power over their data than they think because companies can collect that data through other people, said Martin Tisne in an opinion piece. If someone refuses to go on social media but everyone else has joined, data points are created about that individual that firms can target. Individuals have little control over their own data, which then acts like “an atmospheric pollutant”. There are more links between data about and data inferred about an individual than can be imagined or controlled at present. The report also highlights the importance of privacy for individuals who want to use technology without being tracked.
Individuals have less power over their data than they think because companies can collect that data through other people, said Martin Tisne in an opinion piece. If someone refuses to go on social media but everyone else has joined, data points are created about that individual that firms can target. Individuals have little control over their own data, which then acts like “an atmospheric pollutant”. There are more links between data about and data inferred about an individual than can be imagined or controlled at present. Data is not the new oil; it is the new CO2, Tisne said.