Ever since I began my career as a software engineer, I’ve made many technology predictions — and more often than not, they’ve come true. For years, I hesitated to share them publicly, but it’s time to change that. After all, we didn’t have social media back when I made some of these predictions! So, before these stories fade into the past, I’m documenting them here — and if you have your own, I encourage you to post them on BlueSky or your favorite social platform.

The Prediction

In the future, whoever owns the most data will rule the world.

I made this prediction way back in the mid-1990s while working at a small tech startup in San Diego, California. I don’t recall exactly what triggered it — it just struck me one day. When I shared it with my colleagues, they looked at me like I had lost my mind.

The Reality Today

Fast forward to today, and that prediction has come true in ways I never imagined. Tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Apple have built empires powered by one thing: data. Every search, purchase, click, and conversation feeds their massive systems.

What I didn’t foresee was how this data would eventually be weaponized. Billionaires, corporations, and even governments now use data not only to sell products, but to manipulate behavior. Countries like China have reportedly been buying DNA data from Americans for years. Why? To predict health issues and market drugs directly to us. That’s one reason I’ve never taken a DNA test, and I strongly advise others to think twice as well. (If you’ve ever watched The X-Files, you get it!)

AI, ML, and Data on Overdrive

With machine learning and AI, this data mining now happens faster than ever — at scale, at speed, and at low cost. Ironically, this very article was edited by AI, and I use it daily. But that convenience comes with a cost: every digital action leaves a data footprint.

That’s why protecting your personal data has never been more critical. Over the years, I’ve developed some personal rules that help minimize exposure — and I encourage you to adopt some of these too.

My Everyday Data-Protection Habits

• Use a throwaway email address.
  I never share my real email publicly. My Gmail account is my “junk” address — and I only give my real email to companies I fully trust (which is about 0.1% of them).
• Never share your real phone number.
  Since Google Voice launched, I’ve used it as my public number, set permanently to “Do Not Disturb.” Every call goes to voicemail, so I rarely get spam calls or texts.
• Guard your Social Security number.
  I only share it when absolutely necessary — like with a doctor or the government. If a job application demands it early, I walk away or enter a placeholder like 555-55-5555.
• Limit installed apps.
  Every app you install can access system data. I keep my phone lean — and I never install apps like TikTok, which could expose my data to foreign governments.
• Use browser versions of meeting tools.
  I don’t install apps like Zoom on my computer. Instead, I use the web version so it runs in a browser sandbox — safer and isolated.

The Takeaway

We live in a world where data is more valuable than oil — and everyone wants a piece of yours. It’s a constant battle to protect what’s personal, but it’s one we all must fight daily.

I wanted this article to simply be about a prediction — but I guess it turned into a mini self-help guide too. Hopefully, it will give you some practical ideas to protect yourself online.

If you have your own data-safety tips or stories, share them in the comments — and stay tuned for the next installment in my Tech Predictions series.

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