Some propose that we be compensated for the use of personal information. One proposal is to set up a royalty pool for the use of certain information, such as a change of address. Marketers would not have to get your permission to obtain your change of address, but they would have to pay into a pool each time they accessed the information. Individuals would then be compensated based on how often their information was used. The idea of a royalty pool, however, does not address privacy concerns. Another view is that not only should be be compensated for use of our personal information, but such information should be considered our property. We own and control it. Marketers who want to know our names and addresses or buying habits would have to bargain or contract with us for that information.
Predictor: Experts
Prediction, in context:In their 1995 book “The Right to Privacy,” Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy write: ”In fact, some predict that the model of the marketplace will be taken even further. If so much data about us is not only collected and stored but also bought and sold, then such information clearly has value in and of itself. That includes not just highly sensitive information about our medical or financial status, but even our simple name and address. Thus, at the most basic level, some propose that we be compensated for the use of personal information. One proposal is to set up a royalty pool for the use of certain information, such as a change of address. Marketers would not have to get your permission to obtain your change of address, but they would have to pay into a pool each time they accessed the information. Individuals would then be compensated based on how often their information was used. The idea of a royalty pool, however, does not address privacy concerns. Another view is that not only should be be compensated for use of our personal information, but such information should be considered our property. We own and control it. Marketers who want to know our names and addresses or buying habits would have to bargain or contract with us for that information. This more extreme proposal is unlikely to take effect in the near future, however, as it runs counter to the free flow of information so essential to our democracy. The idea that one can ‘own’ a name or other basic identifying information raises serious First Amendment concerns.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Privacy/Surveillance
Name of publication: The Right to Privacy
Title, headline, chapter name: Privacy and Information
Quote Type: Paraphrase
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 329
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney