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A quarter of a century ago, Scott McNealy, then chief executive of Sun Microsystems, famously dismissed consumer privacy in the internet age as an anachronistic distraction. “You have zero privacy anyway,” he said. “Get over it.” Judging by the way in which consumers have since posted details of their private lives all over social media and breezily ticked the intrusive terms and conditions boxes of many online companies, McNealy may have had a point.

But how we act and what we think can be two different things. Internet users do not appear to have “got over it” when it comes to privacy. Indeed, consumers are now telling pollsters that they increasingly worry about the misuse of their personal data and want stricter controls. A Pew Research poll in the US last year found that 81 per cent of respondents were concerned about how companies collected their data; 71 per cent expressed similar concerns about the government (compared with 64 per cent in 2019).

Such anxieties are all the more acute when it comes to highly sensitive personal information, such as genetic data, which not only affects one individual but all their relatives, too. When you spit into a tube and send it off for DNA testing, you are handing over unique data that cannot be anonymised. You are also sharing information about all your biological family, most likely without their consent. That makes it all the more critical that such data is secure. 

In some cases, there are glaring concerns about who can access — or sell — that data. Several users of the London-based DNA testing company Atlas Biomed have recently expressed alarm about the security of their personal information. The business appears to be inactive — it is late filing its annual accounts and has not been active online. It reportedly did not respond to recent enquiries from the BBC and there has been speculation about its links with Russian business interests.

The Information Commissioner’s Office, which enforces Britain’s data privacy laws, also confirmed that it received a complaint about the company.

In the US, customers of the 23andMe DNA-testing service are also anxiously following the fate of the company, which this week admitted there was “substantial doubt” over its survival without the injection of fresh funds. Some 15mn people have used the service and around 80 per cent of them have agreed to share their data for scientific research. 

Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe’s co-founder and chief executive, has said she intends to take the company private and will not consider a third-party takeover. “We are committed to protecting customer data and are consistently focused on maintaining the privacy of our customers. That will not change,” the company said in a statement to the FT.

But users are unlikely to be reassured. 23andMe’s genetic data is not covered by the US federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which applies to most medical data. It also suffered a serious data breach last year in which 6.9mn user accounts were compromised. Wojcicki has fallen out with the rest of the board, who have resigned en masse. And it is not clear what would happen to 23andMe’s data if the company went bust.

“23andMe highlights very valid anxieties and fears people feel when they have given highly sensitive information to a company for a specific purpose,” says Sara Geoghegan, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington DC. “Users deserve more than a pinky promise that their privacy wishes will be respected.” For more than 20 years, Epic has been campaigning for a federal privacy law that would protect users’ rights.

Such legislation seems unlikely given the anti-regulation stance of the incoming Trump administration — even if many Republicans are themselves concerned about data privacy. The only real alternative is for consumers to assert their power by wresting more control. They must press tech companies to minimise the data they collect, become more transparent about its use and ensure that user consent is voluntary and informed. “Even with the best possible laws, it will not be possible to stop criminals or foreign governments hacking into your data,” says Carissa Véliz, author of Privacy is Power. “Tech solutions are very important.”

Some digital services already offer privacy by design but there is currently little market incentive for their expansion. Users should contest McNealy’s fatalism and stimulate that consumer demand.

john.thornhill@ft.com

SHOPPERS have just a few hours left to buy a large one litre bottle of Baileys for the cheapest price around.

Fans of the Irish cream liqueur will be delighted that the cost has been cut to just £8.50 ahead of the festive season.

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Morrisons slashed the price of the popular tipple last week (November 8), but the deal is only available until midnight tonight.

Shoppers need to spend £45 or more in-store to get their hands on the discounted drink.

Baileys is famed for its smooth luxurious texture and distinctive taste.

With hints of chocolate and vanilla amongst the combination of Irish whiskey and Irish cream, it’s a tantalising mix.

Customers in England and Wales can get their hands on the beverage for £8.50, while those in Scotland can pick up a bottle for £11.05.

This is a 61% saving on the normal price tag of £22.

According to Britain’s coupon kid Jordan Cox, at this time of year there is always a Baileys price war among supermarkets.

He said: “The standard price drop is usually down to £10 for a 1L bottle… or £9.50 if we’re lucky. So for Morrisons to drop the price to £8.50 is quite astonishing!”

The Morrisons deal is especially good because supermarket prices have been naturally increasing over the years, he added. 

As a seasonal treat, Sainsbury’s also halved the cost of a 1 litre bottle to only £10.

The deal is only available to those with a Nectar Card as part of its Nectar Prices.

Meanwhile, Tesco Clubcard customers can pick up a bottle of Baileys for £13.

The offer is valid for delivery from now until December 9.

It’s worth noting that the prices of items including Baileys can change regularly and deal can start and end at any time.

Though £8.50 is the lowest price we’ve seen so far this festive season, Baileys could still be cheaper between now and Christmas.

Remember to always compare prices when shopping so you know you’re paying the right amount for what you’re getting.

A great way to do this is via the comparison site Trolley which will show the prices for every store.

Supermarkets have increasingly only offered these deals to shoppers who have registered for their loyalty programmes to encourage more people to register.

Shoppers have complained that this is annoying as they could previously get the offers without needing to sign up.

The Morrisons deal is also only available to shoppers who have joined the supermarket’s loyalty scheme and have a More Card.

It is easy to sign up for the loyalty programme, which is free to join.

Simply go to the Morrisons More website and enter a few details such as your address, email and mobile number.

Once you have registered you will be sent a More Card and can download the supermarket’s app.

You will then receive offers which will give you money off your next shop.

To get the prices in store just scan the barcode on your card or in the app.

You will also be able to earn points on your spending which can be converted into coupons.

Once you reach 5,000 points you convert them into £5 vouchers called “Fivers” which you can spend in-store or online.

If you do not have the app then your Fiver will be printed in-store.

When you scan your card or app you will also be in with a chance of bagging a “Basket Bonus” which could give you money off your next shop or free treats.

How else to save on Baileys

To make your pounds go further you could always opt for a Baileys dupe, which is similar to the real thing.

You can pick up a 700ml bottle of Ballycastle cream liqueur from Aldi for £4.99.

A litre of the beverage would cost £7.13, which would save you £1.37.

The Ballycastle range comes in several flavours including Chocolate Clementine, White Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter.

All these flavours can be picked up for £7.49.

Other supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, M&S and Lidl also have their own Baileys dupes.

Sainsbury’s 700ml Irish Cream Liqueur costs £13 but Nectar card holders can pick it up for £10.

It would cost £14.28 for a litre, making it more expensive than a bottle of the real deal from Morrisons.

Meanwhile, a 700ml bottle of Carthy’s Country Cream liqueur costs £6.70.

For a whole litre, it would set you back £9.57, making it more expensive than a bottle of Baileys from Morrisons.

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The European Central Bank cut interest rates last month to avert unnecessary damage to the economy, with policymakers taking the view they could pause a December cut if activity picked up, minutes of the meeting show.

The central bank’s governing council gave unanimous support to October’s decision to cut rates by 0.25 percentage points to 3.25 per cent, arguing that “the disinflationary trend was getting stronger” and that it was important to avoid “harming the real economy by more than was necessary”.

The account, published on Thursday, suggests hawks on the council were convinced to back the decision by framing it as an exercise in “risk management” that could potentially offset the need to cut again, or by as much, at the December meeting if the outlook for Eurozone growth improved.

If a slowdown in the eurozone’s economic activity and an unexpected dip in inflation proved to be temporary, “a decision to cut rates now could, ex post, turn out as merely having brought forward a December cut”, the minutes said, adding: “As such, there was little risk associated with cutting.”

A few members initially wanted to wait until December to cut but were won over by “the precautionary risk management case for cutting now”.

Concerns over growth centred on the weakness in consumption, but policymakers also pointed to the risks of “an escalation in trade tensions between major economies” that could hit Eurozone exports.

Carsten Brzeski, economist at ING, said ECB members appeared to have acted on “a queasy gut feeling” and “the fear of falling behind the curve”, despite some scepticism about whether inflation had really been tamed.

Data released since the ECB last met has shown Eurozone inflation rose from 1.7 per cent to 2 per cent in October, slightly higher than analysts had forecast.

Activity has also proved stronger than the central bank was expecting, with figures released on Thursday confirming GDP grew by 0.4 per cent in the third quarter, compared with the ECB’s forecast of 0.2 per cent growth.

However, market pricing suggests investors are still factoring in the possibility of a big rate cut from the ECB in December to shore up growth.

“With the results of the US election, risks to the Eurozone growth outlook have clearly shifted to the downside,” Brzeski said, adding that “if the ECB’s gut feeling doesn’t change”, the decision in December would not be about whether to cut but whether to cut by 25 or 50 basis points.

Households Could Save Up to £1,500 a Year with Council Tax Reduction—Check If You’re Eligible

UK households are being urged to check their council tax status, as many could be missing out on valuable reductions worth up to £1,500 per year. With a range of discounts and exemptions available, a quick review could uncover significant annual savings and potentially lead to refunds on overpayments.

Could You Be in the Wrong Council Tax Band?

In England and Scotland, council tax is based on property bands, which often determine how much each household pays. However, thousands of properties may be incorrectly banded, leading to overpayments. If your home is in the wrong band, you could not only be entitled to a lower bill but also a backdated refund. Some households have saved considerable amounts after having their council tax re-evaluated.

To check if your property’s banding is accurate, compare it to similar properties in your area using government websites. A successful revaluation could mean ongoing savings and refunds totaling thousands of pounds.

Council Tax Reductions Worth £1,500 a Year

Certain circumstances can qualify households for reductions worth up to £1,500 annually, helping to ease financial pressures. Some of the most common council tax discounts include:

• Single-Person Discount: Households with only one adult resident can receive a 25% discount on their council tax.
• Student Exemption: Full-time students are typically exempt from council tax, potentially saving hundreds per year.
• Low-Income and Benefits-Based Discounts: Many councils offer reductions for low-income households or those receiving specific benefits.
• Disability Adjustments: Homes adapted for a resident with disabilities may qualify for additional reductions.

Residents are encouraged to check with their local council to explore these options and determine eligibility for these reductions, which can be life-changing for households seeking financial relief.

How to Claim Your Potential Savings

Checking eligibility for council tax reductions is simple and could reveal savings of up to £1,500 annually. Start by confirming your property’s band and exploring relevant discounts. You can contact your local council directly or use online resources to help identify potential savings.

If eligible, you may receive a lower annual bill moving forward and possibly a refund for past overpayments. Taking a few minutes to check could bring substantial relief, ensuring households only pay what they owe.

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The television empire founded by Silvio Berlusconi has stepped up its campaign against German broadcaster ProSieben, calling for the company to “act faster” and make “radical choices” amid speculation that it is gearing up for a hostile takeover.

MediaForEurope (MFE), which is majority owned by the family of the late Italian prime minister and is ProSieben’s largest shareholder, responded to the company’s quarterly results on Thursday with a public call for more growth, less debt and a faster disposal of assets outside its core entertainment business.

“The current economic situation of the advertising market in Germany increases the sense of urgency,” said Marco Giordani, MFE’s chief financial officer. “We therefore ask the supervisory board and the executive board to act faster, accelerating change and efficiency measures also through radical choices, without further delays.”

With a 29.9 per cent stake in the company, MFE is a fraction below the 30 per cent threshold for making a mandatory takeover offer under German law. Asked if it was planning a takeover bid, the company declined to comment.

ProSieben did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It all began 21 years ago, when 18-year-old UK gap student Matt Crowcombe decided to donate his pocket money towards a South African child’s education. Over the years following, the small seed planted by this simple act of kindness has grown into a thriving charitable organisation transforming the lives of children across the Western Cape and beyond.

This week SOS Africa marked this milestone anniversary by hosting a birthday party to remember at its recently opened Gordon’s Bay Education Centre. Its VIP guests were staff and children from the charity’s 4 education centres from across the region. From the 6 matric students just weeks away from graduation to the Grade R students who started in January, all joined together to celebrate, united as members of the SOS Africa family.

“It was an emotional afternoon shared with many of the wonderful people who have each played an invaluable part in SOS Africa’s journey here in the Western Cape. Each SOS Africa child and staff member has their own remarkable story, they have fought against the odds to get to where they are today and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

I often reflect on the early days of SOS Africa when we walked the very first sponsored child to his first day at school. Back then I had no idea that, in that moment, a wonderful organisation had been born. I feel truly blessed to have a career which enables me to bear witness to both human kindness and determination each and every day.” Matt Crowcombe (Founder, SOS Africa)

Combining their favourite activities, the SOS kids feasted on an epic South African braai, played party games together, jumped for joy on the bouncy castle and cooled off in the swimming pool. Meanwhile the high school children finished off the afternoon relaxing at Gordon’s Bay’s iconic beach. It was a truly memorable occasion filled with broad smiles and the relentless sounds of joy and laughter from adults and children alike, but don’t just take our word for it…

“I enjoyed every minute; we were all siblings coming together and enjoying each other’s company and celebrating together.” Meyah (Grade 10, SOS Africa Gordon’s Bay)

“I had lots of fun! We ate nice food and made lots of friends with children from the other centres.” Relton (Grade 3, SOS Africa Elgin)

“I felt like I was rediscovering my childhood magic – I felt young, wild and free!” Kim (Grade 12, SOS Africa Gordon’s Bay)

“The highlight of my day was hanging out with all the other SOS kids; they were all so friendly! I really enjoyed swimming and the games we played. It was so much fun!” Chrisna (Grade 4, SOS Africa Grabouw)

With the future of the organisation bright, SOS Africa Founder Matt would like to give a final word of thanks to the charity’s many sponsors, donors and fundraisers across the world:

“One of the highlights of my job is communicating with our wonderful supporters who constantly go above and beyond to provide life-changing opportunities for the SOS kids. With each head-earned donation, they take a leap of faith in the hope of making a difference to the lives of children who they have often never met. Thank you for always believing in us – these smiles wouldn’t be possible without you!” Matt Crowcombe (Founder, SOS Africa)

Click here to Sponsor a child in South Africa.