Ownership of personal data is the linchpin in the web that this discussion is about. The power over it will irrevocably return to the user. Are we currently witnessing the definitive breakthrough of the so-called human agency ? I tend to believe so.
The user will increasingly determine for himself or herself whether the free use of social media platforms is worth enough to him or her to give up (part of) their personal privacy. If so, then it will be clear to everyone what happens to that data and it will be a conscious choice. And if not? What if users are not prepared to give up their privacy for the free use of social media? Will we then see the breakthrough of paid social networks? A subscription to Facebook or Instagram? Time will tell, but it would certainly not be an illogical next step in the maturity cycle as far as I am concerned. The first signs are of course already presenting themselves, with paid subscription forms on YouTube, for example.
Illustration of man walking over phone and big red circles.
More regulation
In addition to increasing pressure from users themselves, there is also a clear social media trend towards regulation telegram data Whether control should lie with social media platforms or users is a tension that governments and other interest groups are increasingly interfering with. Just think of the groundbreaking 'big tech' hearing in America, which Facebook also had to join. Strangely enough, but perhaps telling, is that the social media platforms themselves ( with Zuckerberg at the forefront ) regularly call for more regulation in their own sector .
I cannot help but conclude that in 2021 the pressure for regulation and control will continue to build, both from users and from governments and other interest groups.