Big Tech extracts retirement-scale wealth from UK internet users, research shows
A recent report reveals that UK internet users unknowingly contribute significant commercial value through their data, equating to a retirement fund over their digital lifetimes. The Web3 Foundation's study highlights the disparity between perceived free services and the actual economic extraction occurring in the digital landscape. It emphasizes the need for greater transparency and user awareness regarding data privacy and consent.
- ▪The average UK internet user generates $1,604 annually in commercial value from their data.
- ▪Over a 60-year digital lifetime, this value can reach $189,405 when adjusted for inflation.
- ▪Nine in ten users accept privacy policies in under ten seconds, with only 1 to 3 percent reading them fully.
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(function() { let windowUrl = window.location.href; windowUrl = windowUrl.substring(windowUrl.indexOf('?') + 1); let messageElement = document.querySelector('.shareableMessage'); if (windowUrl && windowUrl.includes('code') && windowUrl.includes('expires')) { messageElement.style.display = 'block'; } })(); Off-prem Big Tech extracts retirement-scale wealth from UK internet users, research shows Britain's 'free' internet economy is powered by invisible data extraction that feeds advertisers, AI firms, and digital platforms Carly Page Carly Page Published tue 26 May 2026 // 11:30 UTC Brits are apparently giving away the equivalent of a retirement fund every time they mindlessly hammer "Accept All Cookies" just to read a recipe online.A new white paper [PDF] from the Web3 Foundation, a Swiss…
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