What ethical concern is highlighted by surveillance capitalism?

Surveillance capitalism raises significant ethical concerns primarily due to the exploitation of personal data without consent. This concept revolves around the collection and analysis of individuals' private information, often without their explicit knowledge or agreement, by large tech companies. It involves using the data to predict and influence behavior, which can infringe on individuals' autonomy and privacy rights.

The ethical implications are profound, as individuals are often unaware of how their data is being used or the extent to which their privacy is compromised. This lack of transparency can lead to unconsented surveillance and manipulation, creating an environment where people are treated as mere data points rather than as individuals with agency and rights. The practice raises questions about accountability, ethical responsibility, and the need for regulations to protect users from exploitative practices.

In contrast, the other options do not directly address the ethical implications of surveillance capitalism. Lack of data analysis techniques concerns technical capabilities, financial mismanagement pertains to corporate governance issues, and improvement of research methodologies is focused on advancing academic or scientific inquiry rather than addressing the ethical dilemmas associated with personal data usage. Therefore, the highlighted concern effectively captures the essence of the ethical dilemmas presented by surveillance capitalism.