The web’s original purpose was to create a better and more connected world. Yet, it has evolved into a divided and unequal environment, where a few self-interested powers have a disproportionate amount of influence. At the heart of all this is data.
As the Internet plays an increasingly important part in our lives, we need to become more aware of who is managing and directing our personal information, because whoever controls our data, controls the world.
It can have a huge effect on our lives and heavily influences what we consume and the decisions we make. We saw in the previous article how tech companies can use your data to sell products and make a profit, but it doesn’t stop there.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal showed how micro-targeting, combined with the illicit mass harvesting of personal data, was used to influence elections across the globe. This eye-opening event revealed how much is at stake- through the manipulation of data, certain groups can fundamentally alter our political framework and consequentially, the very fabric of our society.
This scandal and the recent GDPR regulations have raised more awareness about the problems surrounding data, but more needs to be done. Rather than simply resisting data collection, perhaps we can turn it on its head by incentivising and empowering users instead.
At Livetree, we have come up with a unique, innovative solution- find out more in the next post!
