Selling Emotions

Abstract

Abstract This chapter investigates whether it is acceptable or not for people to sell data generated by automated empathy. It reviews literature and practices of ‘data trusts’ and ‘personal data store apps’ highlighting that while ‘infomediaries’ are not new, they now receive policy support. That Sir Tim Berners Lee and the UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation have taken an interest in decentralised data ownership is also found to lend heft. The chapter then assesses the moral and political philosophy of selling data about intimate states. In addition to collectivist and free market philosophies it considers Michael Sandel’s ‘Moral Limits of Markets’ thesis on whether certain aspects of human life should be beyond monetisation. In reference to survey data from the Emotional AI Lab (that McStay directs) the chapter concludes that there is scope to sell data to organisations that citizens believe to serve the public good in relation to health.