What If All Personal-Data Use Were Banned?

Researchers conducted a field experiment with China's largest online retailer, Alibaba, to simulate the impact of extreme privacy protections, outlawing the collection and use of personal data. They tracked over 500,000 customers, adjusting the recommendation algorithm for half by removing all personal data. The results showed an 81% decline in purchases, with mainstream products and larger sellers receiving more exposure, indicating that data regulation could not only shrink internet sales but also influence e-commerce development in a specific direction, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to data privacy and value.