The question of whether individuals should have complete control over how companies use their personal data, even at the expense of convenient online services, has long been a subject of considerable debate. While some people believe that unrestricted access to personal information allows companies to provide more convenient and personalised online services, I firmly contend that individuals should have complete authority over their data, as many businesses routinely exploit information for benefits without genuine consent and data breaches expose individuals to serious harms such as fraud and identity theft.
One of the main reasons why I support this view is that many companies routinely exploit data for their benefits without the consent of the individuals concerned. This is because platforms typically bury data practices in lengthy terms and conditions that few users read, meaning that people unknowingly agree to have their personal information, including browsing habits, locations, and purchases, sold to advertisers and third parties. For instance, a person who signs up for a fitness application may later finds out that their health information is sold to insurance companies and marketing firms, despite never having knowingly approved to use. This ultimately reinforces the view that individuals ought to have complete control over how businesses use their data, as many firms might exploit information for benefit at their expense.
Another compelling argument in favour of this view is that data breaches can expose users to certain risks such as fraud and identity theft. This can be attributed to the fact that platforms store users’ personal data, such as names, addresses, and bank details, in centeralised systems that are very attractive targets for hackers, and the more freely companies store and retain such data, the greater the damage becomes when security fails. A clear example of this is a customer whose details are leaked because a retailers database is hacked, and who later discovers that criminals have used their identity to open credit accounts and make purchases in their name, a problem that can take months to resolve. As a result, giving people more power to limit what businesses store and keep reduces the damage when information is stolen, further supporting the view that individuals should have complete control over how companies use their data.
In conclusion, although unrestricted use of information allows businesses and firms to offer smoother and more tailored online services, the benefits of users’ complete control over personal data are more significant, particularly because it limits companies to exploit information without deliberate approval and reduces the damage criminals cause when information is stolen.