[sunshinelackof]

Individual ownership of data doesn't solve the problem because there's an inherently unequal relationship between the data's owner and the data's consumer. The consumer whether public or private has limited use for an individual data point and is really interested in the collective sum of individuals' data. We see this unequal relationship in plenty of other domains and it always collapses into giving into the demands of the larger entity just for the privilege to participate.

What really would make more sense is the collective ownership of data. Allow for data owners the power to form a body to collectively bargain with entities that want access to their data.

[troymc]

Yes, and the legal frameworks for people to pool their data and _license the pool_ are now being explored. One such framework is the so-called "data trust" (trust as in legal entity).

[kaxline]

Yes, I've been thinking about this. I still think the focus should be on individual ownership, because then that individual could opt-in to a bundled data purchase. Their cut would be small, but maybe it's automated so you get a lot of small payments without doing anything. I think you need to leave the door open for an individual's data having stand alone value though, like a unique mutation in their genes that cures cancer.

[chillacy]

How much do most people collect from class action suits they get bundled into? Vs how much do the lawyers make?