What is surveillance capitalism?

• A. A business model based on collecting and monetizing personal data.
• B. Government surveillance for security.
• C. A framework for privacy protection.
• D. The use of surveillance for education.

Answer: (A)

Surveillance capitalism is a business model built on collecting extensive personal data from users and turning that data into profit. Free or low-cost digital services attract users, while the platforms capture information about behavior, preferences, and contexts. That data is analyzed to predict future actions and to influence what people see and do, and it’s monetized through targeted advertising, data sales, or other insights—making the data itself the product. This focus on commodifying personal surveillance sets it apart from government security measures, privacy-protection frameworks, or educational uses, which don’t center on monetizing individual data as the primary revenue driver.