An Italian man single handedly created one quarter of all counterfeit euros circulating in Europe, from his garage in Naples.
Italian Police raided his house and uncovered a sophisticated hidden printing setup located behind the garage. He had constructed a false wall mounted on… pic.twitter.com/313z8DvGAg
Meter.net → News → why data is more valuable than gold: how companies profit from your personal information
why data is more valuable than gold: how companies profit from your personal information
Why is data more valuable than gold? Every click and like is a trace that companies like Google or Meta mine and profit from. Learn how the internet economy uses your data for ads, personalization, and even manipulation.
With the rise of technology and artificial intelligence, data is more valuable than gold. Every click, like, share, or search on the internet creates a trace that is more valuable to tech companies than any precious metal. Why? Because data is not just information – it is the key to your behavior, preferences, and even future decisions. Discover with us how the internet economy works and why your data is so valuable.
data: the new currency of the digital age
Every move you make on the internet is like a coin you give to companies. When you browse new sneakers on an e-shop, like a photo on social media, or enter what bothers you into the search engine, you generate data. This data is not just random digits – it is pieces of information about what you like, what you buy, where you live, who you talk to, and even what annoys you.
For tech companies, like Google, Meta, or Amazon, this data is like raw material that they extract, process, sell, and, most importantly, make huge profits from. It is estimated that the global data market reached a value of over $220 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to over $1 trillion by 2030.
why is data so valuable?
Unlike gold, which is limited and is being mined physically, data is almost infinite and cheap to collect. Each of us produces an average of 1.7 MB of data per second.
Companies collect, analyze, and use this data for several purposes:
targeted advertising – When you see an ad for a product you just viewed, it’s no coincidence. Algorithms track your behavior and show ads accordingly that you are more likely to click on.
personalized services – Netflix knows what movies you like, Spotify knows your music taste, and Amazon suggests products you’re most likely to buy. All thanks to analyzing your data.
behavior prediction – Data helps companies predict what you’ll do next. For example, banks can estimate whether you’re a suitable candidate for a loan based on your purchasing habits.
product development – Companies use data to improve their products or create new ones that exactly meet user needs.
how do companies collect your data?
Data collection is silent, and you often don’t even notice it happening.
The most common ways of obtaining data include:
Cookies and tracking pixels – When you visit a website, small files called cookies track what you do. Tracking pixels (invisible images on the site) then send information about your behavior back to companies.
Social networks – Every like, comment, or share is recorded. Even how long you look at a post can be valuable information.
Mobile apps – Apps have access to your GPS, contacts, photos, or microphone. Some apps, for example, track where you are to offer local ads.
Search engines and smart assistants – Every search on Google or query to Alexa is recorded and analyzed.
Internet of Things (IoT) – Smartwatches, thermostats, or even refrigerators collect data about your lifestyle.
what do companies do with your data?
Once companies acquire your data, the real alchemy begins. Using artificial intelligence and complex algorithms, data is processed and sorted. The result is user profiles that contain hundreds to thousands of data points – from your age and interests to whether you like to shop late at night.
These profiles are then sold to advertisers or used internally by companies to optimize services. For example, Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) earns over 90% of its revenue from advertising based on user data. Google generates most of its revenue through targeted ads in search and on YouTube.
why is data collection a problem?
While personalized ads can be useful, data collection also has its dark side.
Loss of privacy – Your data can reveal very personal information. For example, health status, political opinions, or financial situation.
Manipulation – Companies can use data to influence your decisions. For example, during elections or when making purchases.
Data breaches – Hackers are constantly attacking company databases. In 2023, over 2.6 billion personal data pieces were stolen worldwide.
Power imbalance – While companies have enormous amounts of information about you, you often know almost nothing about them.
what can you do to protect your data?
Luckily, you’re not completely powerless. Even as a layman, you can take steps to limit how much data companies collect about you.
Use ad and cookie blockers
Tools like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger are great ways to limit tracking on the internet. These blockers stop cookies and tracking pixels that collect information about your behavior on websites. Just install them as browser extensions, and you’ll immediately gain more control over what companies know about you. Plus, they can speed up page loading as they block annoying ads.
check privacy settings
Most social networks and apps have privacy settings that let you limit what information you share. Look into the settings of your account on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok and disable app access to your microphone, camera, or GPS. This will reduce the amount of data companies collect and protect your personal information from misuse.
use anonymous browsers
Browsers like Tor or Brave are designed to maximize your privacy. Tor hides your IP address and routes your connection through several servers, making tracking difficult. Brave automatically blocks ads and trackers and offers faster browsing. Using these browsers can significantly reduce the footprint you leave on the internet.
read terms of use
We know reading terms of use can be boring and often seem written to be unreadable. Still, it’s useful to at least skim through what companies do with your data. Look for information on what data they collect, with whom they share it, and how they use it. If something doesn’t suit you, consider whether you really need the service or look for alternatives with better terms.
use encrypted services
Apps like Signal or ProtonMail use end-to-end encryption, meaning your messages and emails are readable only by you and the recipient. Unlike standard services like WhatsApp or Gmail, where companies can theoretically access your data, encrypted services provide a higher level of security.
the future of data: what’s ahead?
The internet economy is constantly evolving, as are the ways companies collect and use data. Artificial intelligence is becoming even more sophisticated, which means companies will be able to predict your behavior with even greater accuracy.
On the other hand, awareness of privacy protection is increasing, and regulations like GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California are forcing companies to be more transparent.
Nonetheless, it’s important to realize that data is and will be the fuel of the digital world.Even though gold may seem valuable because it’s tangible, data has value because it’s invisible and omnipresent. Each of us is part of this data economy – whether we like it or not.
AI agents are no longer just an experiment of tech companies. They are increasingly appearing in tools we use every day and can independently plan, decide, and execute tasks. We explain what an AI agent is, how it differs from a regular chatbot, and where it can actually save you time and energy.
The concept of cache appears in browsers, phone settings, and when troubleshooting websites, but few know what it exactly means. Cache aims to speed up data loading, but sometimes it can be rather a hindrance. Let’s explain what cache memory is, how it works in practice, and when it’s sensible to clear it.
Everyday online activities have a real energy footprint that quickly multiplies in total. In the article, we will look at what digital carbon footprint means, how much energy regular internet use costs, and which activities burden the environment the most. Areas where consumption is growing the fastest and impact is not immediately visible deserve special attention.
The topic of blue light has led to many simplifications and unnecessary fears. Blue light exposure before sleep is often discussed, but its impact is not limited to just sleep. Let’s put things in context, separate facts from myths, and see when it makes sense to address its effects and when it is more about excessive concern.
Online chats are often handled by artificial intelligence today, and at first glance, the responses appear to be from a real person. This is especially true for customer support, where speed and fluency are key. We’ll look at how to identify AI in chat, what signs you can use to distinguish it from a human, and where the line of recognition becomes very thin.
Ransomware attacks are among the most common cyber threats today and are no longer just a concern for large companies. Just one careless click can cost you access to your data. We’ll explain what ransomware is, how it works, and why attackers are increasingly targeting average users and smaller businesses.
Meter.net → News → why data is more valuable than gold: how companies profit from your personal information
why data is more valuable than gold: how companies profit from your personal information
Why is data more valuable than gold? Every click and like is a trace that companies like Google or Meta mine and profit from. Learn how the internet economy uses your data for ads, personalization, and even manipulation.
With the rise of technology and artificial intelligence, data is more valuable than gold. Every click, like, share, or search on the internet creates a trace that is more valuable to tech companies than any precious metal. Why? Because data is not just information – it is the key to your behavior, preferences, and even future decisions. Discover with us how the internet economy works and why your data is so valuable.
data: the new currency of the digital age
Every move you make on the internet is like a coin you give to companies. When you browse new sneakers on an e-shop, like a photo on social media, or enter what bothers you into the search engine, you generate data. This data is not just random digits – it is pieces of information about what you like, what you buy, where you live, who you talk to, and even what annoys you.
For tech companies, like Google, Meta, or Amazon, this data is like raw material that they extract, process, sell, and, most importantly, make huge profits from. It is estimated that the global data market reached a value of over $220 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to over $1 trillion by 2030.
why is data so valuable?
Unlike gold, which is limited and is being mined physically, data is almost infinite and cheap to collect. Each of us produces an average of 1.7 MB of data per second.
Companies collect, analyze, and use this data for several purposes:
targeted advertising – When you see an ad for a product you just viewed, it’s no coincidence. Algorithms track your behavior and show ads accordingly that you are more likely to click on.
personalized services – Netflix knows what movies you like, Spotify knows your music taste, and Amazon suggests products you’re most likely to buy. All thanks to analyzing your data.
behavior prediction – Data helps companies predict what you’ll do next. For example, banks can estimate whether you’re a suitable candidate for a loan based on your purchasing habits.
product development – Companies use data to improve their products or create new ones that exactly meet user needs.
how do companies collect your data?
Data collection is silent, and you often don’t even notice it happening.
The most common ways of obtaining data include:
Cookies and tracking pixels – When you visit a website, small files called cookies track what you do. Tracking pixels (invisible images on the site) then send information about your behavior back to companies.
Social networks – Every like, comment, or share is recorded. Even how long you look at a post can be valuable information.
Mobile apps – Apps have access to your GPS, contacts, photos, or microphone. Some apps, for example, track where you are to offer local ads.
Search engines and smart assistants – Every search on Google or query to Alexa is recorded and analyzed.
Internet of Things (IoT) – Smartwatches, thermostats, or even refrigerators collect data about your lifestyle.
what do companies do with your data?
Once companies acquire your data, the real alchemy begins. Using artificial intelligence and complex algorithms, data is processed and sorted. The result is user profiles that contain hundreds to thousands of data points – from your age and interests to whether you like to shop late at night.
These profiles are then sold to advertisers or used internally by companies to optimize services. For example, Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) earns over 90% of its revenue from advertising based on user data. Google generates most of its revenue through targeted ads in search and on YouTube.
why is data collection a problem?
While personalized ads can be useful, data collection also has its dark side.
Loss of privacy – Your data can reveal very personal information. For example, health status, political opinions, or financial situation.
Manipulation – Companies can use data to influence your decisions. For example, during elections or when making purchases.
Data breaches – Hackers are constantly attacking company databases. In 2023, over 2.6 billion personal data pieces were stolen worldwide.
Power imbalance – While companies have enormous amounts of information about you, you often know almost nothing about them.
what can you do to protect your data?
Luckily, you’re not completely powerless. Even as a layman, you can take steps to limit how much data companies collect about you.
Use ad and cookie blockers
Tools like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger are great ways to limit tracking on the internet. These blockers stop cookies and tracking pixels that collect information about your behavior on websites. Just install them as browser extensions, and you’ll immediately gain more control over what companies know about you. Plus, they can speed up page loading as they block annoying ads.
check privacy settings
Most social networks and apps have privacy settings that let you limit what information you share. Look into the settings of your account on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok and disable app access to your microphone, camera, or GPS. This will reduce the amount of data companies collect and protect your personal information from misuse.
use anonymous browsers
Browsers like Tor or Brave are designed to maximize your privacy. Tor hides your IP address and routes your connection through several servers, making tracking difficult. Brave automatically blocks ads and trackers and offers faster browsing. Using these browsers can significantly reduce the footprint you leave on the internet.
read terms of use
We know reading terms of use can be boring and often seem written to be unreadable. Still, it’s useful to at least skim through what companies do with your data. Look for information on what data they collect, with whom they share it, and how they use it. If something doesn’t suit you, consider whether you really need the service or look for alternatives with better terms.
use encrypted services
Apps like Signal or ProtonMail use end-to-end encryption, meaning your messages and emails are readable only by you and the recipient. Unlike standard services like WhatsApp or Gmail, where companies can theoretically access your data, encrypted services provide a higher level of security.
the future of data: what’s ahead?
The internet economy is constantly evolving, as are the ways companies collect and use data. Artificial intelligence is becoming even more sophisticated, which means companies will be able to predict your behavior with even greater accuracy.
On the other hand, awareness of privacy protection is increasing, and regulations like GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California are forcing companies to be more transparent.
Nonetheless, it’s important to realize that data is and will be the fuel of the digital world. Even though gold may seem valuable because it’s tangible, data has value because it’s invisible and omnipresent. Each of us is part of this data economy – whether we like it or not.
AI agents are no longer just an experiment of tech companies. They are increasingly appearing in tools we use every day and can independently plan, decide, and execute tasks. We explain what an AI agent is, how it differs from a regular chatbot, and where it can actually save you time and energy.
The concept of cache appears in browsers, phone settings, and when troubleshooting websites, but few know what it exactly means. Cache aims to speed up data loading, but sometimes it can be rather a hindrance. Let’s explain what cache memory is, how it works in practice, and when it’s sensible to clear it.
Everyday online activities have a real energy footprint that quickly multiplies in total. In the article, we will look at what digital carbon footprint means, how much energy regular internet use costs, and which activities burden the environment the most. Areas where consumption is growing the fastest and impact is not immediately visible deserve special attention.
The topic of blue light has led to many simplifications and unnecessary fears. Blue light exposure before sleep is often discussed, but its impact is not limited to just sleep. Let’s put things in context, separate facts from myths, and see when it makes sense to address its effects and when it is more about excessive concern.
Online chats are often handled by artificial intelligence today, and at first glance, the responses appear to be from a real person. This is especially true for customer support, where speed and fluency are key. We’ll look at how to identify AI in chat, what signs you can use to distinguish it from a human, and where the line of recognition becomes very thin.
Ransomware attacks are among the most common cyber threats today and are no longer just a concern for large companies. Just one careless click can cost you access to your data. We’ll explain what ransomware is, how it works, and why attackers are increasingly targeting average users and smaller businesses.
Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, tells us that Pete Hegseth’s language is ‘diabolical’ and says ‘there is something demonic’ about American political culture at the moment … pic.twitter.com/KQA0khUXr7
His megalomania has no limits, says Pulitzer prizewinner Chris Hedges. The Hormuz blockade is more bluster than reality. And how Iran has the capacity to cast the world into a global depression
Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosOpenAI unveiled newAI models today built to help life sciences researchers work faster, Axios’ Megan Morrone reports.
They’re designed toaccelerate research, drug discovery and translational medicine, turning scientific discoveries into better health outcomes.
OpenAI’s first such model, GPT-Rosalind, is named after Rosalind Franklin, “whose rigorous research helped reveal the structure of DNA and laid the foundation for modern molecular biology.“
The company says the models won’t replace scientists, but rather speed up some of their most time-intensive and analytically demanding work.
Humans still need to be in the loop for their expert judgment and result validation, the company says.
Researchers have warned that AI models trained on biological data could be misused to design dangerous pathogens.
OpenAI is reserving access to its new models for organizations working on improving human health outcomes, conducting legitimate life sciences research, and maintaining strong security and governance controls.
Yunyun Wang, OpenAI’s life sciences product lead, says the idea is to maximize use while mitigating potential misuse.
Among those included: Amgen, Moderna, the Allen Institute and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Reality check: AI-discovered and AI-designed drugs are promising, but only a few have reached clinical trials so far.Go deeper.
2. Renewables get war boost
Illustration: Allie Carl/AxiosEarly signs are emerging that the energy shock tied to the Iran war could boost the global spread of renewables and other climate-friendly tech, Axios’ Ben Geman writes.
Global powergeneration from fossil fuels was down in the first month of the conflict, per the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
The other side: Research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie says war-related disruptions are “triggering a rebound” in global coal demand as countries scramble to make up for natural gas shortages.Go deeper.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in San Francisco last year. Photo: Don Feria/APAxios CEO Jim VandeHei was going to pop this in his members-only C-Suite newsletter tomorrow. But it’s too hot to hold. If you’re a CEO or top exec, request FREE admission here.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is scheduled to walk into the West Wing today for a meeting with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles — a breakthrough in his effort to resolve the company’s bitter AI fight with the Pentagon.
Why it matters: The Trump administration recognizes the power of Anthropic’s new Claude model, Mythos, and its highly sophisticated — and potentially dangerous — ability to breach cybersecurity defenses.”It would be grossly irresponsible for the U.S. government to deprive itself of the technological leaps that the new model presents,” a source close to negotiations told us. “It would be a gift to China.“
Reminder: Anthropic is suing the Pentagon for blacklisting the company after Amodei refused to allow his AI to be used without restrictions.Some parts of the U.S. intelligence community, plus the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA, part of Homeland Security), are testing Mythos. Treasury and others want it.“The Mythos moment”: Next week’s issue of The Economist features Dario Amodei and other AI moguls. Illustration: Isabel Seliger/The Economist
Behind the scenes: After Anthropic took the administration to court, negotiations with the Pentagon chilled. But Anthropic has hired key Trumpworld consultants — so expect a deal. Today’s meeting is designed to pave the way.
Flashback: This is the second time Amodei has held a high-stakes meeting with a top Trump official this year.
In late February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Amodei until the end of the week to accept the Pentagon’s terms, or else. Anthropic didn’t.
Since then, the Pentagon and Anthropic have been locked in a legal and political feud. Some in the administration think the fight is growing counterproductive.Share this story … Go deeper: Trump officials negotiating access to Anthropic’s Mythos despite blacklist.
In 1900, John D. Rockefeller controlled approximately 90 percent of all petroleum refining in the United States. He was, by some calculations, the richest private individual who had ever lived.
He had a problem. Scientists were discovering that compounds derived from coal tar, a petroleum byproduct, could be used as synthetic medicines. Aspirin, derived from coal tar, had been launched by Bayer in 1899. The petroleum waste stream Rockefeller had previously had to dispose of could now be sold back to the public as medicine at a markup of roughly 10,000 percent.
He had another problem. American medicine in 1900 was a competitive ecosystem of homeopaths, herbalists, naturopaths, osteopaths, midwives, and traditional doctors who used food, plants, water, and lifestyle as the primary tools of healing. Approximately half of all American medical schools taught some form of natural or alternative medicine.
Rockefeller bought into the German pharmaceutical industry, eventually taking a substantial stake in IG Farben, the conglomerate that included Bayer, BASF, and Hoechst.He then commissioned a report.
The report was written by Abraham Flexner, an educator with no medical training, funded by the Rockefeller and Carnegie Foundations, and published in 1910.It declared that natural and alternative medical schools were unscientific quackery. It recommended the closure of more than half of all American medical schools and the standardisation of the rest around medicine based on synthetic patented drugs. Congress acted.
Half of American medical schools closed within a decade. The remainder accepted Rockefeller and Carnegie funding on the condition that their curricula be reorganised around pharmaceutical treatment. Nutrition was removed. Herbal medicine was removed. Lifestyle intervention was removed.
The doctor’s job was redefined: diagnose the symptom, prescribe the drug. The drugs were petroleum-derived. The petroleum was supplied by Rockefeller-controlled refineries. The medical schools were funded by Rockefeller. The journals were funded by Rockefeller.
The AMA was supported by Rockefeller. The hospitals were funded by Rockefeller. By 1925, the American medical system was a vertically integrated extension of the petroleum industry, operating under the marketing slogan that it was scientific. This is the system that exists today. The pharmaceutical industry generates approximately $1.5 trillion in annual revenue. The American population, 4 percent of the global total, consumes approximately 50 percent of all pharmaceuticals manufactured.
The system was not designed to make people healthy. The system was designed to manage symptoms in a way that produces lifetime customers. A healthy patient is a former customer. A managed patient, who takes the pill every day for the rest of their life, is an annuity. The objective has always been to keep you in that profitable corridor between healthy and dead. Long enough to keep buying. Not so well that you stop. The doctor who advises you to fix your metabolism by changing your diet is, from the point of view of the system that trained him, a defective product. The doctor who prescribes you a statin, a metformin, an antidepressant, and a blood pressure medication for life is performing exactly as designed.
The system was designed by an oil baron who needed to sell the waste products of his refineries. It still functions, 116 years after the Flexner Report, exactly the way he designed it. You are the customer. The corridor is where you live.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosOpenAI unveiled new AI models today built to help life sciences researchers work faster, Axios’ Megan Morrone reports.
Renewables get war boost
Illustration: Allie Carl/AxiosEarly signs are emerging that the energy shock tied to the Iran war could boost the global spread of renewables and other climate-friendly tech, Axios’ Ben Geman writes. 
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in San Francisco last year. Photo: Don Feria/APAxios CEO Jim VandeHei was going to pop this in his members-only C-Suite newsletter tomorrow. But it’s too hot to hold. If you’re a CEO or top exec, request 
“The Mythos moment”: Next week’s issue of The Economist features Dario Amodei and other AI moguls. Illustration: Isabel Seliger/The Economist 
