In the era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, personal data is increasingly becoming a highly valuable intangible asset. Not only major technology corporations but also individuals and intermediary organizations are participating in a fast-growing, often opaque market: the buying and selling of personal data for AI training. This trend opens up new economic opportunities while simultaneously raising profound concerns about privacy, ethics, and control over personal information.
This article explores the nature of the personal data trade, analyzes its potential risks, and highlights key perspectives from international experts on this increasingly urgent issue.
When personal data becomes AI’s “gold mine”
The development of modern AI depends almost entirely on data. Large language models, image recognition systems, and virtual assistants all require massive datasets for training. Among these, personal data is especially valuable because it reflects human behavior, habits, emotions, and even thought patterns.
As a result, a new market has emerged where personal data is collected, aggregated, processed, and resold to AI companies. Notably, users are not always fully aware of or clearly consenting to how their data is being exploited.
In some cases, data trading occurs under the legal cover of service agreements and terms of use. In many other instances, however, data is collected through applications, platforms, or third parties without users’ real understanding.
Selling personal data: legal or a gray area
One of the most pressing issues today is that the boundary between legality and violation in personal data trading remains unclear.
In many countries, regulations such as GDPR in Europe and CCPA in the United States impose strict data protection requirements. However, enforcement remains challenging, especially in the borderless environment of the internet.
Experts argue that the personal data market currently operates within a legal gray area. Some companies may comply with regulations on paper while using sophisticated techniques to exploit data beyond users’ expectations.
Growing concerns about individual rights
Loss of control over personal data
One of the most significant concerns is that users are gradually losing control over their own data. Once data is collected and resold multiple times, it becomes nearly impossible to track where it resides or how it is being used.
This leads to a troubling reality: personal data no longer truly belongs to individuals but becomes part of a global data ecosystem where users act merely as passive suppliers.
Risk of behavioral manipulation
Personal data not only helps AI understand people but can also be used to influence their behavior. Advertising systems, content recommendations, and even political messaging can be personalized to a level that significantly impacts user decisions.
Many experts warn that society is moving from simple tracking toward behavioral shaping, where individuals may be guided or influenced without realizing it.
Deeper intrusion into private life
Unlike traditional datasets, AI training data may include voice recordings, images, device usage patterns, location data, and daily interactions. When combined, these elements can create a highly detailed digital replica of an individual.
This raises a critical question: is there still a meaningful boundary between private life and publicly accessible data?
Risks of misuse and data breaches
The more actors involved in the data value chain, the higher the risk of data leaks. A breach can lead not only to financial loss but also to long-term damage to personal reputation and safety.
In an era where AI can replicate voices, images, and behaviors, leaked data can be used for identity fraud, scams, or even blackmail.
Perspectives from international experts
Many technology and ethics experts have voiced concerns about the commercialization of personal data.
Professor Shoshana Zuboff of Harvard University, known for the concept of surveillance capitalism, argues that personal data is being extracted as a resource without genuine user consent. She emphasizes that this business model risks eroding the foundations of individual freedom.
Meanwhile, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, has repeatedly stated that privacy is a fundamental human right. He warns that unchecked data collection could lead to a society where every action is monitored and analyzed.
Researchers from the AI Now Institute have also called for greater transparency in how AI systems are trained, including clear disclosure of data sources and usage practices.
In addition, experts from the United Nations stress that digital privacy must be protected as part of fundamental human rights, and that international cooperation is essential to establish global regulatory frameworks.
Long term impacts on society and individuals
If the personal data trade continues to grow without effective oversight, society may face serious consequences.
First is the imbalance of power between technology corporations and users. When a small number of companies control vast amounts of data, they gain significant influence over economic, political, and cultural dynamics.
Second is a shift in how privacy is perceived. Younger generations may begin to see data sharing as normal, without fully understanding the long term risks.
Finally, trust in technology could decline if users feel exploited or manipulated.
Vietnam in the global context
In Vietnam, personal data protection is becoming an increasingly prominent issue. Regulations are gradually being developed, but public awareness remains limited.
Many users willingly share personal information in exchange for convenience without considering long term consequences. At the same time, domestic businesses are becoming more deeply integrated into the global data ecosystem.
This creates an urgent need for better user education as well as stronger monitoring and data protection mechanisms.
What direction for the future
Experts agree that it is unrealistic to completely eliminate the use of personal data in AI. However, it is possible to manage and guide its use in ways that benefit society.
Proposed solutions include increasing transparency, giving users greater control over their data, and applying ethical standards in AI development.
International cooperation is also essential to prevent a global race for data exploitation.
When data is power, who controls it
The trade in personal data for AI reflects a defining reality of the digital age: data is not just information, it is power. When this power is left unchecked, it can become a threat to individuals themselves.
The key question is no longer whether personal data should be used for AI, but who controls its use and how to ensure that individual rights are protected.
In an increasingly digital world, protecting personal data is not only a technological challenge but also a matter of ethics, law, and the future of society.
