I Do Not Consent

To behavioural data collection - To targeted advertising - To online tracking

I have become increasingly aware that, through my everyday interactions with the digital and physical world, my personal information is being collected and shared without my consent. I adhere to the legal and logical principle that one cannot agree to something when you don't know what you're agreeing to, and certainly one cannot enter an agreement without being aware that an agreement is being entered into. I believe that all people have a right to privacy.

While many services — such as websites, loyalty programs, debit cards, bank accounts, phone plans, and rental applications — include legal disclaimers stating something like, “By using this service, you agree to the following terms...”, I argue that these agreements are fundamentally flawed. They often rely on complex language that most users do not read or comprehend, which makes consent dubious at best.

Please Consider:

• Consent Under Duress: Many people are compelled to agree to invasive data-sharing practices simply to participate in modern society. For instance, in Australia, the process of renting a home often necessitates filling out an online form and handing over sensitive information. In order to proceed with the application users then have to agree to a data sharing agreement that allows the rental agency and the owners of the form website to share your data with other parties. Given that individuals have little choice but to comply, as housing is essential for all people, this cannot be considered genuine agreement. This is one example, but one can find countless examples where consumers have no reasonable choice but to agree to data sharing.
• Uninformed Consent: The overwhelming majority of people do not read privacy policies or data sharing agreements they consent to, as doing so would take an obscene amount of time. The legal jargon used is intentionally convoluted, making it inaccessible to most Australians. This obfuscation further undermines the legitimacy of these agreements.

I believe that consent cannot be given without being informed, and must be voluntary, and free from coercion. It is imperative that we re-evaluate the ethical standards surrounding data collection and consent, ensuring that people have genuine agency over their personal information. I do not consent, not only to protect my right to privacy, but also to avoid contributing to this unethical practice.