You have the power to own your data if you choose

BY NAKITA YOUNG

Some of us share our lives with many people and some are extremely private. If you are a person that uses social media then your life is being shared and analyzed not only by the people you know but by companies that want to sell you stuff and even governments that want to know the kind of person you are.

Data collection has become a huge industry and though you may think that you have nothing to hide; it is becoming increasingly important to conceal your identity and habits online. The more time you spend online, the more data is being collected on you and that data is worth big money.

Now that governments and corporations have AI technology to scan your face, hold medical records, record you on a camera or track your location, it’s important to know that all of these things will be used against you as the technology rolls out.

Some look at the technocratic roll out as security, but in reality all of it is just a limitation of the freedom we once had. It can seem like a daunting task to limit your use of technology or your interactions with it, but once you have an awareness you will be able to make more informed decisions about what you are willing to share and with who.

Opting out is your main line of defence when it comes to protecting your privacy. Social apps like Facebook and Instagram state in their terms of use that the information on your devices is being collected through those apps and even shared with government agencies. Being unaware when you are giving out your information puts your life in a more vulnerable situation where things you may not have even thought of could be used against you.

We’ve seen people get threatened, and locked up for posting about protests on Facebook, and many being censored from sharing information. Even though you may not be protesting, it should concern you that your social actions could one day have a huge impact on your livelihood, similar to the social credit system in China.

With the Corona era, we are now being asked to share our medical information to travel. Something that used to be private between you and your family doctor is now being used against you to limit the freedom you once had. Choices you make now have a big effect on your futures. The things you choose to accept now will have permanent repercussions. Just because the government implements something, it does not mean that it’s best for us and that we must accept it. Push back and choosing to opt out against data collection and data discrimination. It is necessary in protecting our rights.

Our governing systems are changing, but we do still have choices and maybe more than ever. We are used to having a central authority take care of us, but now have the resources and technology to take care of ourselves without government institutions.

Decentralized systems and groups provide alternative solutions to giving up your rights or information in order to participate in that economy. New decentralized social networks like Float.app, Minds and Odyssey give the power back to the user by not collecting and selling your data with the added plus that you also get paid for your interactions.

Community groups like freedomcells.org are creating regional groups where like-minded people are sharing resources and building self-sustainable, intentional communities. Crypto currency is providing income and form of payment that can be private and untaxed if you wanted to use money in that way.

It may seem that the only way to move into the future is by giving up all we have for the sake of safety and security, but this is just not the case. Giving up all your information especially to the government puts us in a very vulnerable position to be taken advantage of. Researching, connecting with your community and making smart informed decisions about what information you share about yourself will protect you far more than any government regulation or tracking system. You have the power to own your data if you choose to use it before it is taken.