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Data Commodification in Wellness

Meaning

Data commodification in wellness describes the process by which personal physiological, behavioral, and hormonal health data collected through consumer devices and applications is treated as a marketable economic good. This involves aggregating, analyzing, and selling or exchanging de-identified or anonymized datasets to third parties, such as pharmaceutical companies or marketing firms, for financial gain. While this practice can fuel research and product development, it introduces ethical tension by transforming deeply personal health metrics into a commercial asset, raising concerns about individual control and transparency.