We have allowed a situation to develop in which it is legal for a multibillion dollar industry to own, wholly and in perpetuity, the intimate and personal details of children.

Beeban Kidron’s quote addresses the troubling issue of data privacy and the ownership of personal information, particularly the intimate and personal details of children. She criticizes the fact that multibillion-dollar industries have gained the legal right to collect, store, and control sensitive data about children without sufficient oversight or accountability. Kidron suggests that this situation is both ethically and legally problematic, as it allows companies to exploit children’s personal information for profit, often without their explicit consent or understanding. The phrase “wholly and in perpetuity” implies that once companies collect this data, they retain it indefinitely, with few limitations on how it can be used.

The quote reflects Kidron’s concern over the commercialization of children’s privacy and the lack of protections against the exploitation of personal data in the digital age. The internet has made it easier for companies to gather vast amounts of data, including information about children, often through social media platforms, apps, and other online services. Kidron is warning that this unchecked collection of data creates a scenario where children’s most private details are treated as commodities rather than personal rights, putting them at risk of manipulation and exploitation.

Kidron’s statement also raises broader questions about the legal frameworks surrounding data protection and the need for stronger regulation in the digital age. She highlights the importance of rethinking how companies handle sensitive data, especially when it comes to vulnerable groups like children. This reflects her advocacy for better legislation to protect privacy and ensure that companies are held accountable for how they collect and use personal information.

The origin of this quote comes from Kidron’s work as a filmmaker and activist, particularly her focus on children’s rights and privacy issues. As the founder of 5Rights Foundation, which focuses on digital rights for children, Kidron has been a vocal advocate for stronger online protections for young people. Her work, both in film and activism, reflects her deep concern about the implications of an increasingly >legal safeguards to protect the next generation.