Data for All

Ownership

The evolution of data ownership is rooted in historical precedents that have shaped current perceptions. John K. Thompson highlights how Arthur Nielsen's early agreements with grocery stores set a precedent for free data usage, which has persisted for over a century. He argues that this outdated view needs to change as individuals now generate vast amounts of data through constant connectivity 1.

We have a colored or a skewed view of data ownership, that we give away the province of our data to all these companies, and they use it for free.

--- John K. Thompson

Thompson emphasizes the need for people to recognize their ownership of data and demand compensation, akin to paying for raw materials in any other industry 2.

   

Regulations

The global regulatory landscape around data ownership is rapidly evolving, with the EU leading the charge. John K. Thompson explains that the EU's GDPR has been a significant success, empowering citizens to control their data and inspiring further legislation like the Data Act and Digital Markets Act 3.

GDPR has been a boon for the citizens of Europe. They can go in, they can access their data, they can delete their data, they can take it off platforms.

--- John K. Thompson

While the EU and countries like Australia are advancing, the U.S. remains fragmented, with only some states adopting similar privacy laws 4.