Consent-or-pay: Difference between revisions
filled out why this is a problem. will fix tone later Tags: Reverted Visual edit |
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==Why it is a problem== | ==Why it is a problem== | ||
=== Invalid consent === | ===Invalid consent=== | ||
This binary model of data collection creates the illusion of consent because users are compelled to choose one of two bad options, both of which require loss in exchange for content that is generally considered free access. | This binary model of data collection creates the illusion of consent because users are compelled to choose one of two bad options, both of which require loss in exchange for content that is generally considered free access. | ||
=== Lack of informed consent === | ===Lack of informed consent=== | ||
Companies often inform users that cookies and data collection are for "personalized ads" and "improving services." What they do not express is how a user's personal data is stored in data centers, shared among third-parties, sold to data brokers, and often become publicized through breaches. Users underestimate the costs of giving away their personal data, believing that advertisements of their | Companies often inform users that cookies and data collection are for "personalized ads" and "improving services." What they do not express is how a user's personal data is stored in data centers, shared among third-parties, sold to data brokers, and often become publicized through breaches. Users underestimate the costs of giving away their personal data, believing that advertisements of things they're already interested in makes their data a fair trade-off. | ||
=== False equivalence === | ===False equivalence=== | ||
The consent-or-pay model creates a false equivalence between two options. It denotes that the company loses, say, $2 or $5 a month when a user rejects targeted ads. This is an impossible metric considering that there is no way to guess whether the individual user would have purchased any item that is advertised to them. At best, this means the monthly fee is completely arbitrary. At worst, it is based upon a percentage of users who do happen to make purchases and is then unfairly distributed upon all users, irrespective of purchase or ad consumption, which is also known as ''average revenue per user (ARPU).'' | The consent-or-pay model creates a false equivalence between two options. It denotes that the company loses, say, $2 or $5 a month when a user rejects targeted ads. This is an impossible metric considering that there is no way to guess whether the individual user would have purchased any item that is advertised to them. At best, this means the monthly fee is completely arbitrary. At worst, it is based upon a percentage of users who do happen to make purchases and is then unfairly distributed upon all users, irrespective of purchase or ad consumption, which is also known as ''average revenue per user (ARPU).'' | ||
=== Illusion of fair exchange === | ===Illusion of fair exchange=== | ||
For users, the consent-or-pay model leads to a false belief that a fair exchange is taking place. When a company asks for a price as low as $2 a month while seeking data collection as a "free" alternative, the user is led to believe that they are fairly reimbursing the company for loss ad revenue, especially for such a low monthly fee. In susceptible users, they may be tricked into believing this is a fair and ethical decision they are making, thus happily choosing to engage in a deliberately misleading practice. | For users, the consent-or-pay model leads to a false belief that a fair exchange is taking place. When a company asks for a price as low as $2 a month while seeking data collection as a "free" alternative, the user is led to believe that they are fairly reimbursing the company for loss ad revenue, especially for such a low monthly fee. In susceptible users, they may be tricked into believing this is a fair and ethical decision they are making, thus happily choosing to engage in a deliberately misleading practice. | ||