I spent years developing cybersecurity and privacy training for corporate clients and your article reflects exactly how I think about this stuff. Well done. It is a system we’re all trapped within and the best you can do is understand it and be vigilant for those times when it is working against your interests (meaning, be wary of attempts to scam you, because they look much like attempts to target you that you may appreciate.)
I love doing research for other people (places, products, general info) because I know it will mess with my data points, and I know it's genuinely helpful for those I do it for.
Informed consent is so much more than simply understanding what you are agreeing to - but whether or not you can access something without agreeing to terms you have no control over (ie we can't negotiate on most platforms for them to use less data, as you say, it's a choice of agree or don't access the service).
Thank you for this essay - it is important reading for everyone digitally engaged. As an old guy who grew up at a time when I could completely disappear for the day, I have two suggestions: 1. make an intentional decision about digital use because there may be a perfectly serviceable analog method, e.g. reading a real book rather than subscribing to a digital service; 2. make an intentional decision about how much digital access really improves your life - for the history of human evolution we formed communities and shared ideas without digital access. There is a huge role and need for personal communities again. Convenience does not equal improvement.
This article should be mandatory reading in schools.
It really is frightening how much information about one's life is out there, available to the highest bidder. I've started switching to more analog products - an analog wrist watch instead of a smart watch (google doesn't need to know every time I've had a bad night), more paper books (though I love my audiobooks...), paper planner, etc. I've never had a smart speaker and frankly don't understand people preferring the convenience to a degree that they're willing to have a machine listen in on all their conversations.
Great piece. I’m in the process of starting a research creation thesis that intends to tackle exactly the gap in our understanding of what we thought we agreed to when we consent to terms of service and the invisible data creation moments that occur as we’re using platforms. As the Pew Research shows, we have some understanding that our data is out there but attempting to quantify in real time how much it actually occurs is what’s necessary to motivate more urgent policy action.
Great article! With Ai this data is being used in healthcare to establish rates, deny care etc. I think the direct effect on our personal lives is happening but without this knowledge it seems like an invisible force. I also am learning we can find out about the data they have, for example I did not realize we can request a free lexus nexis report. I do monitor my other credit but think lexus data might be more extensive. Saw a clip where a person received a lexus nexis report which revealed onstar was selling driver info that was used to jack up insurance rates…
I am a person who often attempts to read the policies. And you are absolutely correct that they are not meant to be read. The sites will often time out (e.g., Ticketmaster) before you can even skim the entire policy.
Hana - Im loving this Substack and it's really helping me- Im considering moving to the paid tier - and wondering what the growing Framework library is? My mind is all sparkels
I spent years developing cybersecurity and privacy training for corporate clients and your article reflects exactly how I think about this stuff. Well done. It is a system we’re all trapped within and the best you can do is understand it and be vigilant for those times when it is working against your interests (meaning, be wary of attempts to scam you, because they look much like attempts to target you that you may appreciate.)
Thank you so much for publishing this.
I love doing research for other people (places, products, general info) because I know it will mess with my data points, and I know it's genuinely helpful for those I do it for.
Informed consent is so much more than simply understanding what you are agreeing to - but whether or not you can access something without agreeing to terms you have no control over (ie we can't negotiate on most platforms for them to use less data, as you say, it's a choice of agree or don't access the service).
Thank you for this essay - it is important reading for everyone digitally engaged. As an old guy who grew up at a time when I could completely disappear for the day, I have two suggestions: 1. make an intentional decision about digital use because there may be a perfectly serviceable analog method, e.g. reading a real book rather than subscribing to a digital service; 2. make an intentional decision about how much digital access really improves your life - for the history of human evolution we formed communities and shared ideas without digital access. There is a huge role and need for personal communities again. Convenience does not equal improvement.
This article should be mandatory reading in schools.
It really is frightening how much information about one's life is out there, available to the highest bidder. I've started switching to more analog products - an analog wrist watch instead of a smart watch (google doesn't need to know every time I've had a bad night), more paper books (though I love my audiobooks...), paper planner, etc. I've never had a smart speaker and frankly don't understand people preferring the convenience to a degree that they're willing to have a machine listen in on all their conversations.
Great piece. I’m in the process of starting a research creation thesis that intends to tackle exactly the gap in our understanding of what we thought we agreed to when we consent to terms of service and the invisible data creation moments that occur as we’re using platforms. As the Pew Research shows, we have some understanding that our data is out there but attempting to quantify in real time how much it actually occurs is what’s necessary to motivate more urgent policy action.
We’re never getting our data back. We need a U.S. version of the EU GDPR!
Great article! With Ai this data is being used in healthcare to establish rates, deny care etc. I think the direct effect on our personal lives is happening but without this knowledge it seems like an invisible force. I also am learning we can find out about the data they have, for example I did not realize we can request a free lexus nexis report. I do monitor my other credit but think lexus data might be more extensive. Saw a clip where a person received a lexus nexis report which revealed onstar was selling driver info that was used to jack up insurance rates…
Everyone should read this
Thank you for your work. I appreciate all that you do to keep me informed.
(from a retired MLS who filed on card catalogs for years).
I am a person who often attempts to read the policies. And you are absolutely correct that they are not meant to be read. The sites will often time out (e.g., Ticketmaster) before you can even skim the entire policy.
Hana - Im loving this Substack and it's really helping me- Im considering moving to the paid tier - and wondering what the growing Framework library is? My mind is all sparkels