Websites are increasingly adopting "consent or pay" models, demanding you either agree to targeted ads (and extensive cookie tracking) or pay a subscription for a more private experience. News outlets like The Sun present this choice: accept personalised ads for free access, or £4.99 a month to reject them.
What is the issue with Pay or Okay Model?
Article 7 of GDPR law demands consent be "freely given," without coercion.
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has cast doubt on these models, arguing that a binary choice between sharing all your data or paying a fee often doesn't constitute genuine consent.
This stance has been backed up by court decisions, such as the Court of Justice of the European Union's ruling involving Meta, reinforcing that your personal information should not hold the ability to be bought or sold.
Data Risks
- Users may feel coerced into giving up privacy due to financial pressure.
- Extensive data collection for ad targeting increases the risk of misuse, leaks, or profiling.
- Lack of transparency around how data is used and shared with third parties.
The EDPB encourages companies to offer other genuine options. For example, instead of pushing for targeted ads, they could offer a service with general ads which involves less data collection. This discussion highlights the challenge of balancing profit-driven businesses with the fundamental right to privacy.
