Should you have to pay for online privacy?
Should you have to pay for online privacy?
Some websites have started introducing paywalls which can be lifted with data rather than cash.
It is an increasingly common message from websites: browse for free - if you allow us to track your data and target you with personalised ads - if you don't, hand over some cash.
The model is known as "consent or pay" and, while it may be becoming increasingly common, questions remain over whether it is ethical or even legal.
The UK data regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched a consultation, external on the practice - it will report its findings later this year.
"In principle, data protection law does not prohibit business models that involve 'consent or pay,'" the ICO says on its website.
But it continues: "However, any organisation considering such a model must be careful to ensure that consent... has been freely given and is fully informed, as well as capable of being withdrawn without detriment."
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Newspapers such as MailOnline, The Sun, The Independent and The Times have all recently brought in "consent or pay" models."It's basically saying, 'We're giving people a choice. They can either pay and get ad-free access to our articles, or they can be tracked, or they can walk away and not read it,'" Philippa Donn says.
This question being considered by the ICO and others is - is that a fair choice?
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I encountered that the other day and was quite surprised. I then went and summoned the archived version, read the article and carried on with my day.
It seems an effective way of making your ad revenue drop off a cliff but it might be an admission that they aren't making enough from ads.
Enough people pay or concede their privacy. The people that avoid it were already using ad blockers and not making them any money.