Revolutionize Your Identity: Unlocking Personalized Insights with Empathic Technology

Are People Finally Reclaiming Their Data?

In 2019, I wrote a piece cautioning against the forces of technological tyranny. Fast forward to today, and it’s clear that people are no longer willing to blindly surrender their data without a fight. This shift in consumer attitudes is long overdue. Gone are the days where we were complacent about our digital footprints being permanent records. The era of apathy has given way to one of awareness and activism.

The tide turned when high-profile data breaches and invasive tracking techniques made us realize that our activities online are not private, at least not without effort. This newfound sensitivity has led to a growing desire for transparency, accountability, and ultimately, individual control over our digital lives.

For the first time in history, we’re seeing real pushback against surveillance capitalism. People are no longer willing to trade convenience for the loss of autonomy. Governments have been forced to take notice, with regulations like GDPR and CPRA coming into effect.

But while some see this shift as a victory, it’s crucial that we balance our newfound concerns about privacy with the potential benefits AI has to offer. Let’s not forget the countless ways AI can improve our lives, from personalized healthcare to more effective disease prevention.

The key is finding innovative solutions that empower individuals over institutions. As Goss emphasized, “We’re asked to give up our privacy, yet the government has been quite opaque – not just this administration, but previous ones too.” It’s time for us to hold our leaders accountable and demand transparency.

To achieve this, we must support human-centered innovations that prioritize individual freedoms above corporate interests.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelashley/2025/03/25/ai-privacy-and-power-are-people-finally-reclaiming-their-data/