Signals

US – Winston has designed an anti-tracking device that helps internet users take control of their personal information online and opt out of data sharing.

The US start-up's Privacy Filter is a piece of hardware that can be plugged into modems and routers to protect consumers’ data. Promising to prevent online tracking and profiling across every device on a household’s network, the device scrambles, encrypts and anonymises all online activity. Its creators refer to Winston as a ‘zero-knowledge platform’, meaning even the team behind the product can’t access or sell users’ personal data.

While software such as anti-spyware, anti-malware, firewalls, ad-blockers and virtual private networks can perform similar functions when combined, Winston is the first company to package all of these into a simple plug-in device with added benefits, such as intelligently filtering cookies and decreasing data usage by as much as 45%.

As privacy concerns among consumers grow, innovators continue to explore solutions to the moral dilemmas that have arisen within the technology sector. For more, read our Morality Recoded macrotrend.

As Millennials mature, many feel their lives are not living up to their expectations. In the US, 65% agree that their life isn’t where they thought it would be at this point, according to Mintel. One of the main factors contributing to this sense of disillusionment appears to be economic circumstances, which have left this generation with less wealth than previous generations had at the same age.

In fact, Mintel research shows that 51% of Millennials say their financial situation is one of their top three stressors, and 23% say it is the most stressful thing. As a result, 68% say improving their finances is a top goal for 2019 – ranking above advancing their career (39%) and trying new things (35%). With Millennials anxious to ensure their future financial stability, there is a market for brands and businesses to show support for the challenges this generation faces.