The Transactional Approach to Data
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 4:38 am
I consider ideas about how data are used in the digital economy political theories of data.
At present, a so-called barter or neoliberal approach to data is pervasive. Legal scholar Karen Yeung and academic Jose van Dijck use the word barter to describe where – according to van Dijck – “users provide personal information to companies and receive services in return.”
Philosopher Kieron O’Hara expands south africa rcs data on this idea, noting that the way we use data mirrors neoliberal capitalist economies, with an emphasis on individual decision-making, and the transactional nature of data in exchange for ‘free’ digital services.
Image: Olaus Magnus – On Trade Without Using Money (sourced from Wikipedia)
In my opinion, the concept of barter is flawed because it implies a negotiation between tech companies and users which is often absent. Equally, I worry the use of the word ‘neoliberal’ unnecessarily conflates this discussion with other debates.
Because of these concerns, I will instead use the word ‘transactional’ to describe what’s going on.
So, for clarity, the dominant political theory of data today is that users exchange their data with entities whom in turn provide users with free and additional services. Classic examples include Google and Facebook, both of whom provide services for ‘free’ but also capture enormous quantities of data.
At present, a so-called barter or neoliberal approach to data is pervasive. Legal scholar Karen Yeung and academic Jose van Dijck use the word barter to describe where – according to van Dijck – “users provide personal information to companies and receive services in return.”
Philosopher Kieron O’Hara expands south africa rcs data on this idea, noting that the way we use data mirrors neoliberal capitalist economies, with an emphasis on individual decision-making, and the transactional nature of data in exchange for ‘free’ digital services.
Image: Olaus Magnus – On Trade Without Using Money (sourced from Wikipedia)
In my opinion, the concept of barter is flawed because it implies a negotiation between tech companies and users which is often absent. Equally, I worry the use of the word ‘neoliberal’ unnecessarily conflates this discussion with other debates.
Because of these concerns, I will instead use the word ‘transactional’ to describe what’s going on.
So, for clarity, the dominant political theory of data today is that users exchange their data with entities whom in turn provide users with free and additional services. Classic examples include Google and Facebook, both of whom provide services for ‘free’ but also capture enormous quantities of data.