How Much Is Your Personal Data Worth?
Because there are fewer men than women, data for men commands a slightly higher price. And 18- to 24-year-olds command top data dollars.
Your personal data is for sale — that’s not news to anyone. But just how much are people paying for it?
Mackeeper analyzed surveys from You Gov in the US and UK to see whose data is worth the most. As with so many things, scarcity drives up price. Because there are fewer men than women, data for men is at a slightly higher premium, at 14 to 15 cents per person. Age also plays a role, and 18- to 24-year-olds are at the top of the data market.
The most valuable data belongs to US men of Middle Eastern descent who are between the ages of 18 and 24, live in the Northeast, and earn $120,000 to $149,999. Their data brings in $66 million annually.
Companies cull data from many places, especially popular apps such as Facebook, Uber, and Tinder. If you’re not paying, then you’re the product, as the saying goes. See the charts below to figure out just how much you’re worth to companies buying your data. And if you want to do more to protect your data, read our story, “14 Essential Apps for Protecting Your Privacy Online.”
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
