The Future with Hannah Fry · Series 1 · Episode 3
The Future with Hannah Fry, Weaponising Data: what the evidence says about data and privacy
What the episode covers, where data and privacy stands on the 311 Starburst and what leaders should take from it.
What it covers
About the episode
Hannah Fry looks at how personal data can be turned against people and asks whether the end of privacy leaves society more exposed.
- Broadcaster
- Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)
- Made by
- Bloomberg Media with Windfall Films
- Distributed by
- TVF International
- Episode
- Series 1, episode 3
Official episode page (Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)) · More about the series
What the evidence says
Where data and privacy stands in 2026
The 311 Starburst maps when each emerging technology and trend is expected to reach wide use. These are the entries that match this subject, with their status today.
- Technology · SecurityBiometrics
Biometrics measure features of your body or behaviour, such as fingerprints, faces or voices, to check who you are. They are used to unlock phones and prove identity.
- Expected wide use
- 2023
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Readiness
- TRL 9 of 9
- Technology · SecurityDifferential Privacy
Differential privacy adds a little random noise to data. We can then share useful facts about a group without giving away facts about one person.
- Expected wide use
- 2036
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 9 of 9
- Trend · SocietalDemise of Anonymity and Privacy
- Expected wide use
- 2018
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · Business Model TrendsSurveillance Capitalism
- Expected wide use
- 2019
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · ICT TrendsGlobal Privacy Laws
- Expected wide use
- 2025
- Status in 2026
- Act now
Source: the 311 Starburst, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (data built 2026-10-28). Status rings: Act now means wide use by 2027, Prepare 2028 to 2030, Explore 2031 to 2035, Watch 2036 or later. Explore the Starburst Centre.
311 analysis
What leaders should take from it
- Map the personal data you hold and ask how it could be misused if it leaked or was combined with other sources.
- Privacy law is spreading worldwide; design to the strictest regime you trade in rather than the weakest.
- Privacy-preserving techniques let you learn from data without exposing individuals; start piloting them before they are required.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
Next steps
Take this subject to your leadership team
A private briefing turns what is on screen into decisions for your organisation, in person first, anywhere in the world.
Answers
Common questions
Is privacy dead?
Anonymity is eroding fast. The 311 Starburst treats the demise of anonymity and privacy and surveillance capitalism as Act now trends, while privacy laws are also spreading globally.
More episodes
Other episodes of The Future with Hannah Fry
Read more: The dead internet theory, priced