METRO ATLANTA — In the data driven world that we live in, big tech companies like Google, Facebook and Tik Tok, make billions by collecting your internet habits, email and phone numbers and selling that data to advertisers. Those advertisers then use that digital information to customize and deliver targeted messages to you.
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A push is now underway that would allow users of social media to get paid for the collection of their data.
Data researcher David Reinsel says when people download an application, they are required to agree to the terms of usage. The agreement includes data collection. Reinsel says most people don’t bother to read that disclaimer.
“One of the things that I’m often fond of saying is that your digital profile, your digital self is more than you’re physical self.” Reinsel said. “You’ve got this tension between giving up private data, and the benefits gained or experienced via the technology that leverages this private data.”
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Never one to miss out on an opportunity, tech companies have come up with a solution for consumers to get paid for their valuable data.
“It all focuses on collecting and uploading your own data, choosing who your share with and why. And then getting rewarded.” said Dana Budzyn.
Budzyn co-founded Universal Basic Data Income. It’s one of several apps that pay for passive collection of your internet behavior and digital data. She now works for a similar company called YouGov Safe. She says compensation for the personal data comes in several forms.
“Some people use cash, some people use gift cards, some people use Bitcoin. There’s a lot of different initiatives out there that are pushing the idea of universal basic data income, forward,” said Budzyn.
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Channel 2 Action News asked what you might expect to get by signing up to share your data with these platforms.
“I think one thousand dollars has been my goal of what people should get per year. But I definitely think five hundred dollars is doable.” said Budzyn. It may not make you rich, but it’s something.
Right now, Google, Facebook and other social media applications don’t pay you anything for your data.
“It’s a billion dollar market and it continues to grow,” Budzyn said.
With improved technology eliminating a growing number of jobs, many digital safety advocates say applications and search engines that profit off of your data should be obligated to pay you for it. It’s what makes them successful.
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