Three days ago, Balqees called me in the morning to inform me that she decided to get serious about fitness and therefore planned to join one of the gym here in Muscat. As part of the preparation and of course the excitement, Balqees during the same day (at night) started to search online for new running shoes.
However, she noticed something strange next day. Her social media feeds (instagram and Facebook) were flooded with sportswear advertisement and promotions, some were even from the same brand of sports shoes she was looking for.
That was not just it. Balqees further informed me that she was bombarded with gym membership offers, discounts and more promotions of different sport items that include smartwatches and sport outfits. Was this coincidence? Not really.
Was it normal? Oh yes, it is, no thanks to what technology can do today. Why? Because our privacy is up for sale. Let me shed light on this on my article this week by first explaining what happened to Balqees and what most of readers is most probably been encountering today. Balqees online search for running (sports) shoes did not go unnoticed. Every action via website or app was quietly tracked behind the scene and sold (without her knowledge and/or awareness). Every site or page(s) visit, link clicks, social media network scrolls or searches, window swipes and also the infamous acceptance (or “agreement”) on terms and conditions that almost everybody accepts but never actually reads, is fed into millions (if not billions) of Rial Omani industry where privacy is traded.
Balqees is not alone, but you, me and everyone else is unfortunately part of it. You don’t believe? Open your social media feed and see how much it knows about you from the content it delivers specially to you. No thanks to the intrusive algorithm that was built specifically to understand and deliver a personalised experience (based on your personal data).
Most of people use Google to search, to go to places (via Google maps) and to also communicate (via Google Meet). Others use Facebook and/or Instagram (apart from Snapchat, TikTok, etc) to search and also communicate apart from continuously share personal data. Are you aware that Google and Meta (Facebook and instagram owners) control virtually over half of the world’s digital ad market? And are you aware that they are making billions by giving you almost free platform to join, search, post and communicate with others? But how are they making money? Of course by selling your habits your search, your conversation and literally everything about you. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as free lunch.
Is data the new oil? Yes and I am sure you have heard that phrase a number of times now. It is reported that the global data economy is estimated to be worth $3 trillion a year and an entire shadow industry of organisations that search, collect, package and sell everything about you, be it likes, dislikes, home address, places you visit, shopping habits, friends, associates, workplace, etc is valued at approximately $250 billion globally.
These organisations are known as data brokers and yes they are making lot of money out of selling you (your personal data that you give for free).
Over 10 years ago, I recall being part and delivering a cybersecurity session at BankMuscat in which I stated that there may no longer be “Privacy” in the future (or it would be difficult for one to guard in order to continue using free services online). This is a reality now and your privacy is up for sale.
Let’s catch up again next week as we look into some actions that would help guard your privacy.
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