What’s the cost of sharing so much data with tech companies? How do you put a price tag on something that seems so nebulous to most of us?
Let me ask you something. Do you have a relative or close friend who you now have a strained relationship because they post too much on social media about things you don’t like?
Start looking, the drawbacks are everywhere
The real cost of our data being used for profit is all of the ways the effects of data-collection smack us in the face every day. There are minor inconveniences like needing to pull up the correct e-coupon for the grocery store to get a discount on the cheese you like. But there’s also the big scary things such as foreign governments using social media targeting to spread disinformation where it can cause the most disruption.
My apartment building is a great example of the downsides of data collection. If you call an Uber or Lyft, or have food delivered, there’s a good chance the person will go to the back of the building and call you (or leave altogether thinking it’s a wrong address) when they can’t find the door. Why? Because the garage entrance is there, so when people put the address in Google Maps will frequently go there as their end destination. Hence when a Lyft driver or delivery guy puts the address in, they get directions to the garage.
Surely it’s not that bad, right?
Most of the time it doesn’t seem that bad, like waiting a few extra minutes for your curry. We all know that part of the tradeoff is how tech companies collect data on users and then sell it or find ways to use it to make more money. But data is such a vague term. It could mean anything. Besides, I’m not that interesting of a person, right? I don’t do anything wrong. What does it matter who has my data? They’ll get it anyway, even if I try to avoid it? It’s not like it’s worth that much money.
But companies that use our data to manipulate us and sell to us also cause a tremendous amount of frustration and pain. Loved ones go so far down rabbit holes of conspiracy theories they lose touch with reality. The online pet supply company Chewy is notorious for sending birthday greetings for beloved animals that have already been marked as deceased in their user profiles. User profiles that exist to help them collect data on your and target the ads and deals they offer you.
For me, it was a broken engagement. After spending a few months browsing wedding websites, the relationship was over. I kept seeing ads featuring happy, smiling couples for a while, though.
Let’s talk about the real costs
We pay for sharing our data and using free apps in all kinds of ways. Some are more obvious than others. Some of them are genuinely upsetting. It’s why I want to focus on the real-world results instead of just saying “Someone is trying to collect your data.” In the abstract we know that data collection is bad, but advocates frequently stop short of explaining the why.
What’s your why? I try to avoid an internet that constantly reminds me that I’m a terrible mom for not buying the right things, cooking the healthy meals, etc. etc. The less data out there that categorizes me as the mother of a small child, the better.
We have a choice. We don’t have to accept the “free” lunch and all its hangups. And it’s worth it for our relationships and mental health.
0 Comments