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Big tech companies have been profiting from your data for years. Now, you can flip the script.
The mobile apps and websites you visit collect information from you. Today, you can get paid for that everyday data you generate, without giving up your privacy.
That’s correct, you can earn money through sharing non-sensitive data on secure platforms. It’s a safe way to make money from home or from anywhere you are.
We’ll dive deeper into secure data-sharing in this guide, plus explore other active and passive income sources.
Some apps pay users for sharing unused internet bandwidth and anonymized data. You won’t even notice it. It doesn’t affect the performance of your computer or mobile devices.
You sell internet data and earn money in exchange. Safely and securely, that is.
Your shared data helps with market research. Moreover, you help researchers test networks or verify global content access.
One example of these bandwidth-sharing apps is Honeygain. How does this work? First, you download Honeygain. Then, you just have it run continuously in the background, and track earnings as you go.
This is a great starting point if you’re curious about this kind of passive income setup.
For instance, you’re watching Netflix on your laptop. You fall asleep, leaving your laptop running. Even if you’re asleep, you’re earning passively.
Moreover, you can install the app on multiple devices. The more data or internet bandwidth you share, the more money you earn.
Is shopping the name of your game? Why not turn your favorite recreational activity into a profit-earning one?
Some apps reward users for uploading shopping receipts or linking their loyalty cards. This data collection practice helps them understand purchase trends. Thus, you help optimize their marketing strategies and product development.
For your quick reference, we curated a list of apps that give cash or points for shared purchase data:
You can also connect your loyalty cards to these receipt scanner apps. This way, it will be easier to accumulate points for gift cards and cash back.
When browsing through social media or Google, do you notice targeted ads that perfectly fit your interests? That happens because companies collect anonymized data about people’s shopping preferences and habits.
Take note of that keyword: anonymized. It means that your personal details are not divulged.
These companies do surveys to collect information about online behavior and shopping trips. Here are the top apps that reward you for answering a few product-related questions:
These sites offer a flexible way to earn extra cash. And most importantly, these surveys pay instantly. You could see your points or rewards right after you complete a survey.
Imagine browsing the Internet as you normally do, but you’re earning a little something on the side. You just have to activate a browser extension on your desktop.
Some extensions and apps pay users for sharing browsing activity anonymously. Their data collection practice is anonymized, and they will always ask for your consent. This way, you offer value to their market research without risking your privacy.
Here are some trustworthy business platforms that do consumer research with clear privacy policies:
These apps offer a passive income idea for users like you. You can control the privacy settings on both your phone and desktop. It’s a great way to take advantage of your computer and high-speed internet.
Universities and research firms have a required number of studies they need to complete. The thing is, they often need participants to gather data for their research.
This is where you can provide value and earn cash along the way.
Research panels ask users to have their habits and opinions expressed. You might be asked about your phone’s screen time, app usage, or online behavior.
You can scan this list to see if you qualify for their research panels:
You can also earn money for going on the road, driving around, or commuting to a destination.
There are apps that pay you for activating your GPS tracking in the background. You provide information to a business about trend mapping and test routes. Of course, your data patterns are anonymized, so it won’t track you personally.
These apps pay users with data dividends for allowing GPS tracking:
Both these apps allow you to make money with Google Maps. One tip, though: you can pause or limit tracking if you need to. These options are typically found within the app’s settings.
Big tech firms like Google or Microsoft pay users to share usage from their devices and apps. Users help provide data for companies to improve their products.
However, these programs are only offered on an occasional basis. Users go through a pre-approval process, and specific studies may be based on demographics and devices.
Some examples of these programs include the following:
Google and Microsoft are always upfront about what data they’re collecting. You can also join and leave anytime. Users are given full control, and they’re compensated fairly.
Yes, it is safe to get paid money or gift cards for your data, as long as you’re using legitimate platforms.
You should see clear privacy policies and strong reviews on trusted sites like Forbes, Wired, or Reddit. Moreover, there should be an option where you can pause or limit data-sharing when you want to.
For instance, you can find these privacy and opt-out options on Honeygain. Honeygain lets you share unused internet bandwidth, without divulging any personal information. It’s a safe and beginner-friendly way to earn passive income.
These data-sharing platforms might not cover a full-time job, but you can still earn money in your spare time. Still, we recommend verifying a site’s trustworthiness through review platforms. You can’t be too careful.
Yes, it is safe to get paid for your personal data if the apps you’re using have clear privacy policies. You can verify a platform’s trustworthiness through review sites like Forbes, Wired, and Reddit. It’s important to read their data collection guidelines, and only join programs that you have reviewed.
You can earn around $5 to $50 per month by selling your Internet data to trusted data research apps. However, earnings might depend on your location, device, and demographic. It’s not an alternative to your full-time job, but it’s a good way to get paid during your free time.
Yes, most data-sharing apps require a minimum age of 18 years to comply with privacy and legal regulations. Some apps do allow younger users, as long as there is consent from their parents. Before joining a data research program, read the platform’s terms of service first to review your eligibility.
Companies pay participating users for non-sensitive data such as browsing patterns, app usage, location trends, and receipts. Some platforms might require access to data on your Samsung Health or Apple Health. The key here is to review each platform’s data collection guidelines before opting to sell your data.
Yes, you can always choose which data you’re willing to sell to data-sharing apps. If there is no such option, there’s a chance that the platform is not a legitimate one. You should be able to pause data tracking, limit permissions, or even opt out of the program.
Yes, it is legal to get paid for your data in Europe and in the United States, as long as the data-sharing apps adhere to privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA. You can get paid through direct deposit to your account, or via gift cards.