Security News > 2021 > September > Which? survey finds people would actually pay the online giants not to take their data

The British consumer champion has repeatedly argued that people are uncomfortable about the amount of data collected and stored by tech companies from online activity and gadgets in the home.

Now it has changed tack and commissioned a 111-page report - Value of the Choice Requirement Remedy - that attempts to estimate the amount of money people in the UK would be prepared to pay Facebook and Google in return for greater control over how their data is collected and used.

The research found that while many people do have concerns, some are prepared to part with their data if they were paid for it in some way.

"Speaking in July, Rocio Concha, Which? director of Policy and Advocacy said:"Reforming the competition regime will help to build a fairer and more competitive tech sector that will work better for consumers, giving them more control and more choice - including over how their data will be collected and used.

"Which? has repeatedly raised the issue of consumers not feeling in control over how their data is collected and used by online platforms. The new Digital Markets Unit must be empowered by the government to introduce remedies that promote competition and reduce consumer harm," said Concha.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Facebook said that the social media giant has "Always been transparent about how we never use sensitive personal data for ad targeting."

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2021/09/30/which_data_survey/