For the past few weeks, both the UK and US press have been filled with the alleged misuse of personal data by Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. While the ICO and US Congress begin to hold hearings and carry out their investigations, it’s fair to ask if this and GDPR have created a step change in how the consumer understands the value of their data.
Although arguably smaller than the Equifax and Yahoo data breaches, the scandal around Facebook has grown exponentially and has galvanised clients’ and customers’ minds in a way not seen before. There are many reasons for this, some of which are:
• Facebook is ‘more real’, with 1.40 billion active users logging on each day to the network.
• There is a lack of explicit consent given by the individual and an exposure of what data profiling can do.
• A new understanding by the consumer of how their data can be used.
GDPR and the Facebook scandal have come together in a perfect storm. This has shown the public that the theoretical aspects of data privacy have real-world consequences.
What do you do?
A concept has been created that someone is watching over the consumer’s shoulder, whenever they are online. This has been perpetuated by how relevant ads suddenly appear, seemingly connected to a recent email sent, or a conversation just had.
There needs to be an intrinsic value exchange between those who wish to use personal information and those who offer it up. There are parameters and rules which market-leading firms are currently using, including:
• CONTROL
The control of data must sit with the consumer who has created it, which is a fundamental aspect of GDPR. Implied consent is no longer enough for a population that is realising the commercial importance of their information.
