Let Us Grant Individuals Ownership of Their Data

Context: An Indian proposal of mandatory data-sharing appears to have alarmed US Big Tech firms. Rather than the State claiming access, let people own what they upload—and decide its fate.

The need for Public Sharing of Data:

• To neutralize the advantage of data monopolies: Technology companies, such as Amazon, Facebook and Google, have built themselves on data collected from users that can be put to profitable use.
• A laissez-faire approach has resulted in the emergence of powerful companies armed with data drawn from people at large.

Issues with Public Sharing of Data

• Viewed a State Appropriation of Property: In countries that see private ownership as the crux of capitalism, this would be seen as state appropriation of property.
• For E.g. US Chamber of Commerce and US-India Business Council appear to have been preparing to protest data-sharing.
• Fear of concentration of power: The well-intended commandeering of inputs could go wrong, especially if it concentrates power in state hands, as communist countries found.
• Reducing Competition and Incentives: among the private players to innovate and perform well.
• Possibility of Red Tape: Due to the multiplicity of data rules in light of recent non-personal data sharing and data protection bill underway, India could soon saddle with a multiplicity of data rules.

Way Forward: 

• Data to be owned by Individuals: by adopting the principle that neither the State nor a corporate gatherer can own anyone’s data.
• Designing principles of compensation in case the data being used for purposes other than intended for.
• Such a regime will also let people share a modest slice of the money being made off big data.