With many people looking to take advantage of side hustle opportunities, interest in using the National Internet Observatory (NIO) has grown. The NIO pledges that participants will have the opportunity to earn money by helping researchers understand how people behave on the internet.
However, questions have been raised about the legitimacy of these promises, with users stating their concerns on Reddit threads. To determine if the NIO really is too good to be true, this article will explore what it is, how the app works, and whether there is evidence of participants being paid.
What is the National Internet Observatory?
Launched by Northeastern University and supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Internet Observatory is a research initiative that helps researchers understand internet usage patterns. The project invites people in the United States to take part in scientific studies to understand the role that the internet plays in society today. It explores online habits, user interactions, and more.
According to Google Play, the NIO functions in a two-step process. First, the NIO gathers data from volunteers and paid participants who download and use its app on their smartphones, tablets, and computers. For computers, this works as a browser extension. Data, such as app usage patterns and network traffic metadata, that is collected will provide useful insights into how the internet impacts daily life and what online behaviors are performed frequently. This data will not be personally identifiable.
Second, the NIO provides privacy-preserving access to researchers and survey companies around the world who wish to study the internet.
How Does the National Internet Observatory App Work?
The NIO app predominantly works through two means:
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VPN-based Data Collection – Participants must consent before the app gathers data on their online experiences through a VPN. This data includes app usage duration and frequency, but no specific content from communications is collected.
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Location Tracking – As the NIO only collects data from US residents, the app ensures all users are located in the United States to comply with US privacy laws and lets researchers design studies that account for regional differences.
It is essential to remember that only metadata is compiled via the app for this research project; no specific content that users create or view will be collected. This ensures that the data is non-intrusive while also providing researchers with a large-scale overview of the participants’ internet habits.
What Should Participants Do to Use the App Correctly?
After downloading the NIO app, users should follow three steps to begin participating in the study:
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Allow the app to collect data via VPN and grant permission for location tracking.
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Use their smart device as the individual usually would; the app will run in the background to gather data.
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Complete 30 days to be eligible for compensation.
The app might also offer questionnaires and surveys at times to enable users to provide more context about their online behaviors. To ensure the data collected is accurate, individuals should keep the app active and stay involved for as long as they participate.
Does NIO Really Pay Users?
Those who participate in the NIO study are offered a one-off payment of $10.00 after they complete 30 days of active use. This payment is an incentive to ensure people will commit to the study for the minimum requirement of 30 days. Those who received payment quickly kept the app running and allowed it to compile data for the full 30 days.
However, the NIO app has received mixed reviews online, particularly on Reddit. This Reddit thread from 2022 contains multiple participants who did not receive the promised compensation promptly, although some of those users mentioned they did not keep the software active for the required length of time.
If participants experience issues receiving their compensation, they should contact the NIO at help@nationalinternetobservatory.org.
Evidence For and Against NIO Payouts
As previously mentioned, the NIO app has mixed reviews; in fact, it has a rating of 3.1 stars on Google Play. Many of those who have used the app have shared their experiences on subreddits, including r/beermoney. Some people found the app worked as stated: it collected their metadata passively, did not affect the speed of their devices, and paid out the compensation as pledged.
While several participants were satisfied with their experience, others were not as happy. Several individuals stated that they had privacy concerns about the app’s data collection methods, despite NIO stating it only compiles metadata and not specific content. A few also believed that the amount of compensation provided was insufficient when considering the possible risks, especially when their metadata could create a detailed profile of their online behaviors.
There is general skepticism around data privacy that has affected users of the NIO app. This has resulted in some participants flagging the VPN as possibly invasive; they fear that their personal data could be exposed and/or misused. These people are more likely to be uncomfortable with third-party data collection, even metadata. Yet, there are no specific instances of misuse related to the NIO app at this time.
What to Consider Before Joining the NIO App
Anyone who is thinking about taking part in the NIO study must first consider the following points:
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Privacy Trade-Offs – Although NIO assures users it does not gather specific content, the app does collect network metadata and location information. This data includes a record of the websites you have visited, elements like video and audio content, etc. However, some believe the VPN-based connection that is used for data collection is intrusive.
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One-Off Incentive – Users receive $10.00 if the app remains active for at least 30 days. There is no indication that further payments will be provided for continued participation, so this is believed to be a one-time payment. It will not be an alternative income.
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Contribute to Research – The app enables study participants to contribute to studies focused on online behaviors and internet usage.
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Mixed Reviews – Users have expressed mixed feelings about NIO and its app. While some participants have no issues using the app, others have stopped using it due to privacy concerns. Most who have used the app for the full 30-day period received the payout in a timely manner.
Is the National Internet Observatory App Worthwhile?
Overall, the National Internet Observatory study seems to deliver on its promise. If users are happy sharing their metadata and continue to do so for 30 days via the app, they will receive the pledged payout of $10.00. This means it is a low-effort method of making some extra cash for those who understand the collected data and are comfortable with the privacy trade-off.
Potential users should know that this research study is primarily focused on supporting academic research; it will not generate sufficient income like some Get-Paid-To apps. These individuals should also have realistic expectations and be aware of the data collection to prevent disappointment.