Kee Jefferys Reveals Why Data Is the New Oil and How To Safeguard Your Privacy

“Data is the new oil”—a phrase coined nearly two decades ago—perfectly illustrates the immense value of personal data in today’s digital landscape. 

Like oil, data must be extracted, refined, and processed before it becomes profitable. Yet, despite its worth, many users often give away their data for free, seemingly unaware or dismissive of its value and the many issues surrounding ownership and privacy. 

However, protecting personal information has become a top priority for others who recognize the increasing importance of data privacy. These users are more conscious of how their digital footprint can be exploited and are taking active steps to safeguard their privacy in a world where data is currency. 

Free messaging services work in “deceptive but also opaque” ways, “making it difficult for users to grasp the extent to which their data is being collected and sold.”  That is what Kee Jefferys states. 

Kee is a blockchain specialist and co-founder of Session, a decentralized and encrypted messaging application that prioritizes user privacy by minimizing the collection of user metadata and enhancing security. 

In an interview with CCN, he shared how users can protect themselves and their data online, the advantages of decentralized networks, the ethical considerations surrounding internet privacy, and his visions about the future of encrypted messaging.

Fight for Privacy Control

As digital services become more intertwined with daily life, privacy and data security concerns have moved to the forefront of the conversation. Jefferys underscores that many users remain unaware of the extent to which their personal data is being collected and used by companies, often in ways that compromise their privacy. As a result, he considers transparency one of the key ethical considerations regarding the Internet. 

“Many apps deceive users into believing they are receiving free services without any strings attached, when in fact, these services often rely on selling user data to advertisers to sustain their operations,” he states.

Jefferys emphasizes the need for more applications to be transparent about their business practices. He believes that apps should enable users to have control over their data, whether by minimizing the amount of information collected or by giving users the ability to manage and own their personal data.

Decentralized Platforms vs. Centralized Platforms

Given the growing concerns around censorship and data control by major tech, decentralized platforms have emerged as a potential solution to empower users and safeguard their privacy. 

Unlike centralized platforms, which store data on central servers and often require users to surrender personal information, decentralized platforms distribute data across multiple nodes, reducing single points of failure and minimizing the risk of surveillance and data breaches.

Jefferys highlighted the key benefits of decentralized networks, noting that they enable developers to create protocols that distribute data across various nodes rather than depending on a single central server. This structure enhances security and reduces vulnerability to attacks.

This approach lowers the risk of central points of failure and decreases the likelihood of attacks or data breaches. He noted that when combined with well-designed protocols and cryptography, decentralized networks can offer stronger security and privacy than traditional centralized systems. “By decentralizing control, users can have more say over how their data is stored and used, leading to improved privacy and user control in digital services,” he said.

However, Jefferys pointed out that “some decentralized platforms may still mishandle or exploit user data.” He emphasizes that “decentralization alone doesn’t guarantee better data management compared to centralized platforms.”

He addressed Bitcoin as an example, pointing out that, despite being a decentralized network, “it actually has weaker privacy protections than centralized banking systems because every payment and address on the Bitcoin network is publicly visible.”

Ripe for Disruption

Jefferys thinks the messaging market is ready for change as more people seek privacy-focused communication. He believes current platforms rely on centralized servers, making them weak when protecting user privacy.

“The messaging market is ripe for disruption, and there is a clear opportunity for a platform that prioritizes user privacy, doesn’t require a phone number for sign-up, and moves away from the centralized server model that mainstream apps like WhatsApp and Telegram rely on,” he stated.

He continued, “centralized servers inherently give their operators greater access to user metadata and data, which is a significant privacy weakness. Session addresses this by eliminating the need for centralized servers, removing that key vulnerability.”

According to Jefferys, “unlike centralized platforms, Session doesn’t concentrate metadata in one place, reducing the risk of large-scale data breaches or surveillance”.  

This is possible because Session’s business model doesn’t rely on selling or monetizing user information. Session leverages technologies such as end-to-end encryption, onion routing, and ID blinding to protect user privacy and minimize the collection of sensitive data,” he pointed out.

Safeguarding Privacy: Apps vs Users

When it comes to online privacy, Jefferys believes that users should have control over their privacy, and he offered some of his best tips and advice for safeguarding personal information:

• Review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms.
• Limit public visibility on popular apps like Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram to reduce the risk of data misuse.
• Limit the personal information you share on online services. 
• Use pseudonyms and alternative usernames for non-essential services.
• Provide a fake date of birth. 
• Utilize temporary email addresses to separate online activity from real-life identities.

He believes that by following this advice, companies will have a harder time tracking users. 

A Decentralized Future?

As the digital landscape evolves, the importance of privacy and data control continues to grow. Thanks to decentralized technologies and encryption, platforms like Session are paving the way for a future where users have more control over their personal information. 

By adopting these privacy-first platforms, individuals can reclaim ownership of their data and reduce their exposure to the invasive practices of centralized systems.

However, the open question remains: Is the future encrypted and decentralized? 

Only time will tell, but as privacy concerns rise and decentralized solutions emerge, we may be closer to that reality than ever before, with innovative solutions playing an increasingly important role in the digital realm.