This episode covers the increasing prevalence of consent or pay models in online platforms and the recent opinion issued by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) addressing this issue. The discussion includes what it means for consent to be freely given in today's digital landscape, especially when data sharing becomes necessary to access essential digital services. The EDPB emphasizes the importance of offering genuine alternatives, the challenges of large platforms holding significant power, and the ethical considerations surrounding data privacy. The episode also highlights the EDPB's call for clarity, fairness, transparency, and the implications for both users and companies in the digital age. 00:00 Consent or Pay Opinion 03:16 Exploring Alternatives and Fairness 04:58 The Role of Transparency and User Control 07:14 Challenges in Enforcing Privacy Rights 09:08 Implications for Companies and Users 10:43 Conclusion and Future Considerations