Data Rights and Equity
The digital age has brought unprecedented opportunities for connection, creativity, and information sharing. Yet, it has also created a system where social media companies profit immensely from our actions, data, and labor, often at our expense. This raises urgent questions about equity, ownership, and fairness in the digital economy. If our data and labor are so valuable, why aren’t we receiving a fair share of the profits?
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter generate billions of dollars annually. These profits come from several sources: selling user data, charging creators and businesses for promotions, and displaying paid advertisements. Every interaction we make—a like, a share, a comment—feeds into algorithms that these companies use to maximize engagement and revenue. While users are essential to this ecosystem, we receive none of the wealth our participation generates.
Exploitation of Content Creators
Content creators face particular exploitation. Although their videos, posts, and streams drive traffic and keep users engaged, the platforms often fail to provide them with fair compensation. Instead, creators are forced to negotiate sponsorship deals with advertisers directly, often on unfavorable terms. Platforms benefit from the labor and creativity of these individuals without adequately sharing the wealth they help produce.
The Case for Equitable Data Rights
If our data is as valuable as the multi-billion-dollar valuations of these platforms suggest, we deserve a cut of the profits. Data is the new oil, and it powers the engines of modern capitalism. Yet, unlike oil producers, the users who generate this data see no return on their contributions. A system that prioritizes corporate greed over fairness perpetuates economic inequities and denies individuals the ability to claim ownership of their digital labor.
This imbalance contrasts sharply with past practices. For example, when companies conducted market research in the pre-digital era, participants were compensated for their time and insights. Today, however, the data we provide—often unwittingly—is collected and monetized without our consent or compensation
Political and Corporate Control
The recent federal appeals court ruling that could lead to a ban on TikTok unless it sells its U.S. operations, highlights the high stakes surrounding digital platforms. Investors such as former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt are reportedly interested in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. business, with informal commitments of over $20 billion in capital. This massive sum underscores the immense value of these platforms.
However, the potential sale of TikTok also raises concerns about control. When billionaires and political elites own and manage these platforms, they wield significant power over public discourse. They can influence what information is disseminated, what speech is allowed, and ultimately, how the working class communicates and organizes. This concentration of power threatens democracy and reinforces systemic inequalities.
Reclaiming Our Digital Power
Social media companies have built their empires on our data, speech, and exchanges. These elements are not just commodities; they are the essence of our participation in the digital world. We must demand equity. This could take the form of laws that require companies to share profits with users or initiatives that give creators greater control over their content and data.
Imagine a world where users are compensated for their contributions and data. Such a system would not only redistribute wealth but also empower individuals to have a say in how their digital lives are governed. Platforms should be accountable to their users, not just their shareholders.
Digital Civil Rights
The current digital economy is unsustainable and inequitable. Social media companies’ exploitation of user data and labor must end. It is our data, our speech, and our creativity that drive their success. We deserve a fair share of the wealth and a voice in the systems that govern us. The fight for digital civil rights is not just about fairness—it is about reclaiming our power in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and corporate interests.
Followers Forever 