In an era where even "getting forgotten" requires money

In a world where digitalization advances and vast amounts of data continue to accumulate in storage and the cloud, there is still no definitive answer on how to appropriately handle issues surrounding personal information and privacy.

The stockpiling of digital data will likely have a positive impact on our lives in the medium to long term.

For example, the accumulation of health data may one day reveal secrets to extending healthy lifespans or suggest unexpected strategies for disease prevention. Furthermore, the accumulation of vehicle driving data could help alert drivers to accident-prone areas or suggest appropriate driving routes during disasters.
 
On the other hand, questions remain: How much should various digital footprints—including web browsing and video viewing histories—be utilized as marketing data? How much should digital privacy be protected and respected? The boundary between communication via the internet and social media and privacy remains ambiguous.
 
Personal information issues extend beyond an individual's lifetime. Challenges remain regarding the handling of so-called "digital remains"—personal information that persists after death in SNS accounts and cloud storage. Ideally, this should be properly managed through wills or guardianship.

Amidst this, a phenomenon has emerged where social media serves as a kind of digital memorial, such as when loved ones send messages to the deceased on their Facebook birthday notifications. Recently, ephemeral social media platforms—where posts disappear after a set time—have also appeared. This could be seen as reflecting the conflict between the desire to leave a trace and the desire to erase it.
 
Considering this, appropriate legal frameworks addressing digital issues will become necessary in the medium to long term. In recent years, the concept of "information banks" has emerged from the EC, where personal information is entrusted to third-party institutions for proper management.

Eventually, we may see the emergence of a new profession: the "Personal Digital Curator." This role would provide expert advice and control over personal information and privacy issues. We are likely entering an era where paying to be "forgotten" online will become necessary.

Future Prediction Support Lab: http://dentsu-fsl.jp/