Data Colonialism and Proposed Trade Rules for Individual Data Ownership

 

Data Colonialism and Proposed Trade Rules for Individual Data Ownership

Data colonialism describes how Big Tech companies extract, control, and monetize personal data, often without fair compensation or consent, mirroring colonial exploitation of resources. These corporations—think Google, Meta, Amazon—harvest user data (search histories, social interactions, purchase patterns) to fuel algorithms, targeted advertising, and AI models, amassing wealth and power while individuals and their communities see little return. This practice raises ethical concerns about privacy, autonomy, and economic inequity, as personal data becomes a commodity controlled by a few.

To address this, new trade rules should enshrine individual data ownership as a fundamental principle. Each person owns their data—full stop. Companies can use it, but only with explicit consent and transparency. Up to a company valuation of $1 billion, firms can operate without additional obligations, supporting startups and innovation. Beyond this threshold, companies must compensate:

1. Individuals: Direct payments or revenue-sharing models for data usage, proportional to the value derived (e.g., ad revenue tied to user profiles). For example, if a company earns $10 per user annually from targeted ads, a percentage (say, 20%) goes to the user. Blockchain-based systems could track and automate payouts.
2. Local, State, and National Governments: A data tax or royalty, reflecting the societal infrastructure enabling data collection (e.g., internet access, public education producing digital literacy). Funds could support public services or data literacy programs. For instance, a 1% tax on data-driven revenue for companies valued over $1 billion could generate billions for public coffers.

Implementation would require global coordination, possibly through trade agreements or bodies like the WTO, to prevent companies from dodging rules via offshore havens. Challenges include defining "data value," enforcing compliance, and ensuring equitable access for smaller economies. Critics might argue this stifles innovation, but unchecked data colonialism already concentrates wealth and power, undermining fairness.

Big Tech’s grip on data isn’t just a business model—it’s a power structure. Giving individuals and governments a stake rebalances the equation, ensuring data serves people, not just profits.