What Are Personal Data?

Personal data refers to any information that relates to an identifiable individual. This includes:

• Basic details: Name, address, and phone number.
• Online behavior: Browsing history, search queries, and social media activity.
• Financial data: Bank transactions and purchase history.
• Health information: Medical records and fitness tracking.
• Location data: GPS information and travel patterns.

Every time you interact with a website, app, or device, data about you is collected, often without your explicit knowledge.

The Current State of Data Monetization

Today, most personal data is monetized by corporations. Companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon collect massive amounts of user data to create targeted advertisements, improve their services, and sell insights to third parties. This data economy generates billions in revenue annually, yet the individuals who provide this data often see no direct benefit.

The imbalance has sparked discussions about fairness and the ethical use of personal data, paving the way for a new approach: empowering users to monetize their own data.

How Can Individuals Monetize Their Data?

With advancements in technology and data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, individuals now have tools and platforms to take charge of their data. Here’s how:

1. Data Wallets and Marketplaces
   Platforms like Digi.me, Tapmydata, and Datum allow users to store their personal data securely and decide who can access it. Users can share anonymized or specific data with companies in exchange for rewards, payments, or discounts.
2. Surveys and Research Participation
   Companies often pay individuals to share opinions, behaviors, or preferences through surveys. Platforms like YouGov and DataWallet connect users with brands willing to pay for insights.
3. Advertising Revenue Sharing
   Some apps and browsers, like Brave, enable users to earn money or tokens by opting into personalized advertising.
4. Health Data Monetization
   Sharing anonymized health data for medical research can benefit society and provide compensation to individuals. Platforms like LunaDNA let users contribute to research while earning rewards.

Benefits of Monetizing Personal Data

1. Financial Rewards
   Instead of corporations profiting exclusively, individuals can earn money or rewards directly.
2. Transparency and Control
   Users decide who can access their data, for what purpose, and for how long.
3. Encouraging Ethical Data Use
   When individuals control their data, companies are incentivized to be more transparent and ethical in their practices.
4. Empowering Individuals
   Data monetization shifts the balance of power from corporations to consumers, fostering greater equality in the data economy.

Challenges and Risks

Despite its potential, personal data monetization faces challenges:

1. Privacy Concerns
   Even with encryption and anonymization, sharing data carries risks if security measures fail.
2. Understanding Value
   Most people don’t know how much their data is worth, making it difficult to negotiate fair compensation.
3. Regulatory Hurdles
   Compliance with privacy laws can complicate the monetization process, especially across different jurisdictions.
4. Technical Barriers
   Not everyone is tech-savvy enough to navigate data wallets and marketplaces. User-friendly solutions are needed for widespread adoption.

The Future of Personal Data Monetization

As awareness of data privacy grows, so does the demand for user-centric solutions. Innovations in blockchain, decentralized networks, and secure data-sharing protocols are paving the way for a fairer data economy.

In the future:

• Companies may compete for access to user data, offering higher compensation and better privacy guarantees.
• Governments might introduce policies encouraging individuals to take control of their data.
• Education around data value and privacy could become a key focus for consumers.

Personal data monetization is a game-changer in the digital economy, offering individuals a chance to reclaim control and reap the rewards of their own information. While challenges remain, the shift toward a user-driven data economy is inevitable.

By leveraging tools and platforms designed for secure data sharing, individuals can participate in this evolving landscape, ensuring that their personal data benefits them directly, rather than fueling profits for corporations alone.

The post Personal Data and Its Monetization appeared first on Tapmydata.

What Is a Mobile Personal Data Wallet?

A mobile personal data wallet is an application that allows users to securely store, manage, and share their personal information. Think of it as a digital locker where you keep your valuable data, accessible only to you and shared on your terms.

Unlike traditional cloud storage or platforms that collect your data for profit, a personal data wallet prioritizes privacy, security, and user control.

How Does It Work?

1. Data Storage
   The wallet stores your personal data—such as identification documents, health records, and transaction history—in encrypted form. This ensures your information is safe from unauthorized access.
2. Verification
   Many wallets include features to verify the authenticity of your data. For example, you can upload a government-issued ID and have it validated through secure channels.
3. Controlled Sharing
   Users can choose to share specific pieces of data with companies, organizations, or individuals. Permissions are granted for particular purposes, such as verifying your age or applying for a loan.
4. Earning Opportunities
   Some wallets enable you to monetize your data by sharing anonymized information with businesses or researchers. This way, you can benefit financially from your own data while maintaining control.

Key Features of a Personal Data Wallet

• Security
  Advanced encryption technologies protect your data, ensuring it cannot be accessed without your explicit consent.
• Transparency
  You have complete visibility into who accesses your data, for what purpose, and for how long.
• Portability
  Your data wallet travels with you on your mobile device, allowing you to access and share information anytime, anywhere.
• Customization
  You can select which types of data to store and share, tailoring the wallet to your unique needs.

Why Do You Need a Mobile Personal Data Wallet?

1. Regain Control
   In a world where corporations and third-party platforms often handle your data without transparency, a personal data wallet gives you back control over how your information is used.
2. Enhanced Privacy
   By limiting unnecessary sharing and keeping your data encrypted, you minimize the risk of data breaches and identity theft.
3. Compliance with Regulations
   Tools like these align with global privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, ensuring your rights are respected.
4. Monetization
   Your data is valuable. With a personal data wallet, you can decide to share your anonymized data with organizations in exchange for rewards or payments.

Real-World Applications

1. Identity Verification
   Use your wallet to prove your identity for services like banking, renting, or age-restricted purchases without sharing unnecessary personal details.
2. Medical Records
   Store and share your health data securely with doctors or insurance providers, ensuring quick and accurate communication during emergencies.
3. Job Applications
   Share verified professional credentials, certifications, and references directly from your wallet.
4. Travel
   Store digital copies of your passport, visa, and vaccination records for hassle-free travel documentation.

Examples of Popular Personal Data Wallets

1. Digi.me
   A privacy-focused app that consolidates data from multiple sources and lets you share it securely on your terms.
2. Tapmydata
   Helps users reclaim control of their personal data and monetize it by sharing verified information with organizations.
3. Evernym
   Focuses on identity management, enabling secure sharing of verified credentials for various purposes.

The Future of Personal Data Wallets

As data privacy becomes increasingly important, personal data wallets are expected to play a crucial role in empowering individuals and reshaping the digital economy. They represent a shift toward greater transparency, security, and fairness in how personal data is handled.

Whether you’re protecting sensitive information or earning from your data, a mobile personal data wallet is a smart, forward-thinking tool that puts you back in control in a data-driven world.

The post What Is a Mobile Personal Data Wallet? appeared first on Tapmydata.

Why Your Data Has Value

Every action you take online—liking a post, searching for a product, or signing up for a service—creates data. This information helps companies understand consumer behavior, improve their offerings, and target their marketing. While businesses profit from this data, most users receive no compensation.

That’s starting to change with apps that allow you to monetize your data. These platforms give you control over your information and provide opportunities to earn rewards by sharing it on your terms.

How Mobile Apps Enable You to Monetize Your Data

1. Data Ownership
   These apps empower you to own and manage your personal information. Instead of being passively tracked, you decide how your data is used and who can access it.
2. Transparent Consent
   You can choose to share specific types of data with companies or researchers in exchange for payments or rewards. Transparency is key—these apps show exactly how your information will be used.
3. Earning Opportunities
   By sharing anonymized or aggregated data, you can earn rewards such as:
   • Cash payments
   • Cryptocurrency
   • Discounts or gift cards
4. Privacy and Security
   Advanced encryption and decentralized storage ensure that your data remains safe. These apps prioritize user privacy, so you can earn without worrying about unauthorized access or misuse.

Top Apps for Earning from Your Data

1. Sweatcoin
   Sweatcoin converts your physical activity into a digital currency that can be redeemed for products or services. It tracks your steps but keeps your personal information private.
2. Tapmydata
   Tapmydata helps you reclaim ownership of your personal data and monetize it by sharing verified data with organizations. It even allows you to mint your data as NFTs for added control.
3. Tapestri
   Tapestri rewards users for sharing their location data anonymously with businesses. The app ensures your identity remains secure while you earn money.
4. Ocean Protocol
   This app allows you to share and monetize your data on a decentralized platform, ensuring both transparency and security.

Benefits of Monetizing Your Data

1. Financial Rewards
   Instead of letting companies profit from your data, you get a share of the value it creates.
2. Control and Transparency
   You remain in charge of your data, deciding who can access it and for what purpose.
3. Enhanced Privacy
   These apps use secure technology to protect your information, reducing the risk of data breaches or misuse.
4. Support Ethical Data Practices
   By using apps that prioritize transparency, you encourage companies to adopt fairer practices in data collection and usage.

Tips for Getting Started

1. Choose Reputable Apps
   Research apps to ensure they have a strong commitment to privacy and security. Look for user reviews and read their data policies.
2. Understand What You’re Sharing
   Make sure you know exactly what data you’re sharing and how it will be used. Avoid apps that lack transparency.
3. Start Small
   Test out one or two apps to see how much you can earn and how the process works.
4. Stay Safe Online
   Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to keep your accounts secure.

Earning from your personal data is a revolutionary concept that puts power back into the hands of individuals. With the right mobile apps, you can turn your digital footprint into a source of income while retaining control over your privacy.

As these platforms continue to grow, they pave the way for a more equitable digital economy where everyone benefits from the value of their data. So, why let others profit from your information? Take control today and start earning with mobile apps designed to put you first.

The post How to Earn Money from Your Data with Mobile Apps appeared first on Tapmydata.

The Problem with Traditional Data Practices

For years, tech giants have monetized user data by selling it to advertisers and third parties, often without transparency or consent. Users rarely see any of the financial benefits of this data usage, despite being the source of the value. Moreover, privacy breaches and unethical practices have made many people wary of sharing their information online.

The Rise of Privacy-First Data Apps

In response to these challenges, innovative mobile apps are emerging to provide a fair and transparent alternative. These apps empower users to take control of their data, decide how it’s shared, and even earn rewards for doing so. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and encrypted data storage, these apps ensure that users’ personal information remains secure.

How Do These Apps Work?

1. Data Ownership
   These apps allow users to store their personal information in secure, encrypted “data vaults.” Unlike traditional platforms, the data remains under the user’s control, and only they can decide how and when it is shared.
2. Consent-Based Sharing
   Users are presented with clear options to consent to the sharing of their data for specific purposes, such as targeted advertising, research, or analytics. This ensures transparency and builds trust.
3. Monetization of Data
   Instead of companies profiting from your data, these apps enable you to earn directly. You might receive payments in cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for granting access to your anonymized data.
4. Enhanced Privacy Measures
   Most of these apps use advanced privacy technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs and decentralized storage systems to ensure your data is protected and cannot be accessed without your explicit permission.

Benefits of Data Monetization Apps

1. Fair Compensation
   For the first time, users are able to monetize their data and receive a share of the profits that companies generate from it.
2. Transparency
   These apps clearly outline how data will be used and who will access it, reducing the likelihood of misuse or exploitation.
3. Control
   Users retain full control over their data, deciding what to share and what to keep private.
4. Privacy Protection
   State-of-the-art encryption and secure storage ensure that personal information remains safe from breaches and unauthorized access.

Examples of Privacy-First Data Apps

1. Tapmydata
   Tapmydata allows users to reclaim control of their personal data, verify it, and even mint it as an NFT (non-fungible token) to license it to organizations for compensation.
2. Ocean Protocol
   This platform uses blockchain technology to let users share and monetize their data securely, ensuring privacy and transparency.
3. Civic
   Civic focuses on identity verification and data privacy, allowing users to share verified information while earning rewards.

Why Should You Care?

By using apps that prioritize privacy and empower you to monetize your data, you can reclaim your digital rights. These platforms not only ensure that your information is used ethically but also help you benefit financially from its value.

As more people adopt privacy-first data apps, the balance of power between individuals and corporations will shift, promoting a fairer and more transparent digital economy.

The ability to earn from your personal data without sacrificing privacy is no longer a far-fetched idea. With the rise of innovative mobile apps, you can take back control, safeguard your privacy, and gain financial rewards in the process. It’s time to rethink how we interact with our data and embrace tools that put users first.

So, why let others profit from your data when you can take the reins yourself? Download a privacy-first data app today and start earning while staying secure.

The post How Mobile Apps Empower You to Earn from Your Personal Data Without Compromising Privacy appeared first on Tapmydata.

How Do Instagram Data Breaches Occur?

Instagram data breaches typically happen when companies storing Instagram users’ private information fail to implement robust security measures. Hackers then exploit these vulnerabilities to access personal data for malicious purposes.

One common tactic involves exploiting poorly designed third-party software applications, which provide easy entry points for hackers. Malware is also often used to infiltrate databases. For instance, a hacker might send a seemingly harmless email with a link that, when clicked, installs malware and grants unauthorized access to a database.

A surprisingly frequent cause of Instagram breaches is weak or absent passwords securing the databases. It’s important to note that Instagram itself isn’t directly responsible for these breaches; they usually occur through third-party companies that engage in a practice called web scraping.

The Problem of Web Scraping

Web scraping is an automated technique used to gather vast amounts of data, often by scraping content from websites, including social media platforms like Instagram. While web scraping is legal, Instagram’s terms of service strictly prohibit it to protect user privacy. However, distinguishing scraping bots from legitimate users can be difficult, so scraping often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Here are a few examples of how web scraping has led to Instagram data breaches:

Chtrbox

Chtrbox, an influencer marketing company based in Mumbai, India, used Amazon Web Services (AWS) to store its database, which contained sensitive data on influencers. In May 2020, a security researcher discovered that this AWS database was left online without a password for 72 hours before it was taken offline. This oversight exposed the private information of at least 49 million Instagram users, though Chtrbox claimed only 350,000 were affected.

Deep Social

Deep Social, an influencer marketing company that utilized web scraping to collect data on Instagram users, was banned by Facebook and Instagram from accessing their APIs. Despite this, the company’s scraped data eventually ended up in an unprotected online database. The data, which included personal details like names, emails, phone numbers, and Instagram follower counts, was exposed for millions of social media profiles.

Social Captain

Social Captain is a bot designed to automate various tasks on Instagram, such as liking posts, following users, and commenting on photos. While the platform did have a password-protected database, it was possible to bypass the login screen easily by using a user’s unique ID in the URL. Additionally, Social Captain stored user login details in plain text, meaning that anyone who accessed the source code of a profile page could easily view a user’s Instagram credentials. This vulnerability allowed hackers to gather login information from many users quickly, especially since user IDs were sequential.

Instagram data breaches highlight the importance of strong security measures and the risks of sharing personal information with third-party companies. As web scraping and other malicious practices continue to threaten user privacy, it’s essential for consumers to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect their data.

The post What Instagram Data Breaches Mean for Consumers appeared first on Tapmydata.

As Web2 has evolved, it has become a centralized space where companies often misuse users’ data. This occurs because many users don’t fully understand what they are agreeing to when signing up for services, often to their detriment.

This is where Tapmydata steps in. With a unique combination of tools, ledger systems, and decentralized protocols, we provide an all-in-one solution for users to reclaim their digital identities. By turning consent into a blockchain-verified NFT, Tapmydata offers a transparent, new way for legitimate organizations to access and exchange data while providing value to the user.

Why Balancer?

The Balancer protocol is known for its flexible design and permissionless structure, which allows teams like TAP to create innovative financial products and services. Balancer’s advanced features enable new use cases that bring value to the market, which is why we chose to partner with them for our token sale.

“We’ve been greatly impressed by Balancer’s development pace, and they are at the forefront of providing mechanisms that ensure liquidity events and price discovery—key for the long-term success of token projects like TAP.”
— Gilbert Hill, CEO, Tapmydata

About Balancer

Balancer is a cutting-edge DeFi platform that functions as a decentralized exchange, allowing users to easily buy and sell cryptocurrency. By using Balancer Pools, anyone can provide liquidity by depositing assets, earning trading fees, and receiving the native token, BAL, as a reward.

How to Participate in the Token Sale

To take part in the TAP token sale, users need to download the Tapmydata app from your preferred app store. After installing the app, follow the prompts to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks. You will only be able to participate in the sale once these steps are completed, so please follow the instructions carefully.

The KYC/AML process will be integrated with Balancer, ensuring a seamless solution for liquidity pool participation.

Token Sale Dates

The TAP public token sale will begin on December 14, 2020, and run for two weeks, ending on December 28, 2020. For further updates, please refer to the Tapmydata Telegram channel.

The post TAP Launches Public Token Sale on Balancer appeared first on Tapmydata.

This right is covered under Article 21 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

“The data subject (that’s you!) shall have the right to object, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, at any time to the processing of personal data concerning him or her which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6 (1), including profiling based on those provisions.”

This guide explains how to exercise your right to object, when you can use it, and what to expect from organisations.

How Do I Exercise the Right to Object?

Before exercising the right to object, you need to understand how an organisation is using your data. You can do this by submitting a subject access request.

You can only object to the processing of your data when the organisation is using it for:

• Duties carried out in the public interest
• Legitimate interests of the organisation
• Scientific or historical research
• Direct marketing

Once you understand how your data is being used, you can determine whether you can object. If you can, you should inform the organisation that you object to any further processing of your data and explain why you believe it should stop using it.

You can make your right to object request in any format—verbal, in writing, via social media, or by using tools like Tapmydata (this function will be introduced later in 2019).

If you make the request verbally, it’s advisable to follow up in writing. This provides proof of your request in case you need to challenge the organisation later.

Organisations cannot charge you for making a right to object request unless it is deemed unreasonable or excessive. (The definition of these terms is still being debated!)

Use a Tool to Make It Easier

We created Tapmydata to help you easily exercise your data rights. The app is free, available on both Apple and Android, and we don’t collect or store your personal data.

What If I’m Not Satisfied with the Response?

If you’re unhappy with how the organisation has handled your request, the first step is to complain directly to them. Contact their data protection officer or customer support team, which you can typically find on their website or in their privacy policy.

If you’re still dissatisfied, you can escalate the issue by filing a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

How Should I Raise My Concern About the Organisation’s Use of My Personal Data?

To raise your concern, you can send your request in any format—verbal, in writing, or using the Tapmydata tool. Be sure to specify what aspect of the data processing you are objecting to, so the organisation knows exactly what action to take.

What Should Organisations Do?

If your objection is valid, the organisation must stop processing your personal data for the specific purpose you objected to. However, in some cases, the organisation may still be able to use your data for other purposes.

Does the Organisation Have to Stop Using My Personal Data?

Yes, if your objection is valid. However, the organisation can refuse your objection if it has a compelling reason to continue processing your data. It can also refuse if your request is deemed “manifestly unfounded or excessive.”

In such cases, the organisation may:

• Request a reasonable fee to handle the request.
• Refuse to process your objection.

If either of these occurs, the organisation must explain its decision to you.

When Should I Get a Response?

The organisation is required to respond to your objection within one month. If they need more time to consider your request, they can take up to two additional months. If this happens, the organisation must inform you within the first month, explaining why they need more time.

The post Right to Object: How to Make a Right to Object Request appeared first on Tapmydata.

This right is protected under Article 17 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which states:

“The data subject (that’s you) shall have the right to obtain from the controller (that’s the organisation) the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay, and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay…”

This guide will walk you through how to make a right to erasure request, the circumstances under which you can exercise this right, and what you can expect from the organisation.

How Do I Delete My Data from an Organisation?

To make a request for your data to be deleted, simply contact the organisation and specify what data you want removed.

You can submit this request in any format: verbally, in writing, through social media, or by using a free tool like Tapmydata.

If you make the request verbally, it’s a good idea to follow up in writing. This gives you proof of your request, which could be useful if you need to challenge the organisation’s response later.

Does the Organisation Have to Delete My Data?

No, organisations are not always required to erase your data. The right to erasure applies in the following situations:

• The organisation no longer needs your data (e.g., after you’ve cancelled a service like a phone contract).
• You have withdrawn your consent for the use of your data (e.g., you previously agreed to an online newsletter but no longer wish to receive it).
• You have objected to the use of your data (for more, read “Your right to object to how your data is used”).
• The organisation has unlawfully collected or used your data (e.g., they obtained your personal data through an illegal data broker).
• The organisation has a legal obligation to erase your data.

Use a Tool to Make Life Easier

We created Tapmydata to help individuals exercise their data rights more easily. The app is free to use and available on both Apple and Android devices. We don’t collect or store your personal data.

What if I’m Not Satisfied with the Response?

If you’re unhappy with the organisation’s response to your request, you should first file a complaint with them. Try contacting their data protection officer or customer support team, which can usually be found on their website or privacy policy.

If you’re still not satisfied, you can escalate the matter by filing a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

What Should Organisations Do?

Organisations are required to delete your data. They must also inform any other organisations they have shared your data with about the erasure. They can only refuse to erase your data if it’s impossible or would require a disproportionate effort.

Can the Organisation Say No?

Yes, in some cases, an organisation can refuse your request to erase your data. This may occur when:

• The organisation is legally required to keep your data.
• The data is necessary for public health reasons.
• The request is “manifestly unfounded or excessive,” as defined by law.
• The data is required for establishing, exercising, or defending legal claims.
• The data is necessary for freedom of expression and information (such as for journalism or academic purposes).

If the organisation refuses your request, they must explain why.

When Should I Get a Response?

Organisations are generally required to respond to your right to erasure request within one month. In some cases, they may need more time to consider your request, and this can extend up to two additional months.

If they need extra time, they must inform you within the first month and explain why more time is necessary.

The post Right to Erasure: How to Make a Right to Erasure Request appeared first on Tapmydata.

By default, the camera on your iPhone and iPad records geographic data along with other metadata, revealing where the photo was taken. While this can be useful for personal use, it’s not ideal when you share those photos on public platforms like Facebook or Instagram.

This guide explains how to turn off geotagging in the Camera app on your iPhone or iPad to better protect your privacy.

Why You Should Disable Geotagging

The main reason to disable geotagging is that photos with location data can be traced back to a specific place. If you’re sharing a photo online, like a vacation snapshot, it’s not an issue — you’re no longer at the location. However, if you’re posting photos of your home or personal moments like a baby’s first steps, you likely don’t want strangers to be able to track your exact location based on those images.

While this may seem a bit over-cautious, with the amount of information readily available online, it’s wise to protect your personal data from potential misuse.

How to Disable Geotagging in the Camera App

1. Open Settings from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap Privacy.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Select Camera.
5. Choose Never to disable location tagging.

By following these simple steps, you can better protect your location privacy when sharing photos from your device.

The post Protect Your Privacy: Turn Off Location Tagging for Photos on iPhone & iPad appeared first on Tapmydata.

At its core, the app features your personal data locker, where you can store, manage, and verify your personal data. This data is the foundation of our service and plays a crucial role in our offering.

What’s exciting is that you can mint a non-fungible token (NFT) directly within the app, allowing you to unlock value from your personal data store.

Beyond the personal data locker, the app also functions as a custodial crypto wallet for the TAP token (see our migration from Stellar). We’re expanding the wallet’s capabilities to include non-custodial options for users more familiar with cryptocurrency who prefer control over their private keys.

The Tapmydata app is continuously evolving and will soon support:

• Verifiable claim support
• Verification marketplace (currently using our ID Verification Beta)
• Document signing

Imagine how easy it will be to apply for credit, rent a home, or complete other legal processes when you have verifiable and immutable evidence of your identity and data at your fingertips.

The post Tapmydata Personal Data Store (PDS) appeared first on Tapmydata.