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Everywhere is the New Office: The Rise of Digital Nomads

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to at-home work was swift. Never before had so many workers been forced to work from a new location, with new software to learn, in such a short period of time. But after a few months of at-home work, a weird thing happened: Workers began to adore remote work compared to the traditional office. Although it took getting used to, now, 77% of workers prefer working remotely versus working in an office [1]. But now, with the pandemic under (some) control, workers are still figuring out ways to continue working from anywhere. This desire has led to an increase of “digital nomads” across the country, and the world.

Digital nomads are location-independent workers who travel often, while still getting work done due to consistent Internet availability. While digital nomads are nothing new, the popularity of the practice exploded during the pandemic. In fact, in 2020, the number of digital nomads in the United States reached 10.9 million, up 50% from 2019 [2]. With more businesses offering indefinite remote work, the practice will likely spread further as well. Because of its ever-growing popularity, it’s fair to ask: Is this the future of work? 

Why do Digital Nomads Love Their Jobs?

First and foremost, digital nomads (and at-home workers in general) like their work method because it allows a better work-life balance [3]. This includes taking more breaks, feeling less pressure and no more commutes. All of these perks are quite beneficial for remote workers, including digital nomads. It allows workers to continue earning an income, while also saying goodbye to some of the more stressful facets of traditional office jobs. For many of these digital nomads, remote work is a no-brainer. After all, if offices allow for remote work, why not enjoy these perks? The problem, however, is that not all offices want remote work to become permanent.

Numerous prominent business leaders have voiced their opposition to permanent remote work. Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings stated that he sees “no positives” regarding remote work, and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said that remote work was “an aberration we’re going to correct as soon as possible [4].” So while remote work offers a multitude of benefits to digital nomads, it isn’t guaranteed their lifestyle will last forever. While some business leaders, such as Mark Zuckerberg [4], have sung the praises of remote work, the practice is far from universally admired.

However, it won’t be easy to rope digital nomads back into the office. After all, remote workers have the leverage right now. In 2020, efficiency actually increased, even though workers had to navigate the newfound difficulties of remote work [5]. With this information in mind, workers know that they are valuable, efficient employees. More importantly, business leaders know they are valuable and efficient as well. So while anti-remote work CEOs may want a return to the traditional office, making it a requirement risks losing employees to businesses more open to remote work.

The Digital Nomad Economy

Even some businesses have begun to market themselves to digital nomads. For example, Airbnb has shifted its focus from short-term vacation rentals to longer-term “workcations.” In fact, the number of long-term Airbnb stays nearly doubled in 2020 compared to 2019 [2]. And with more businesses becoming open to permanent remote work, this sector of the economy will continue to grow, adding even more benefits to remote work.

Put simply, remote work offers significantly more freedom for workers compared to office work. And for digital nomads, it’s about more than just freedom of location. Working remotely allows employees to get their tasks done on their time. With no supervisors looking over your shoulder or gossipy coworkers to worry about, employees can focus more on their work. With this increase of personal freedom for workers, it’s no wonder why efficiency jumped in 2020.

The Drawbacks of Remote Work

However, with this freedom comes responsibility as well. Without a boss or coworkers to surround you during work hours, temptations can arise. After all, what’s stopping workers from taking a two-hour break in the middle of the day? Additionally, remote work can actually cause worse work-life balance as well, as the lines between home-life and work-life can be blurred. Finally, security could be compromised by remote work as well. In fact, that’s partially why Apple CEO Tim Cook has been so enthusiastic about a return to offices [6].

Remote work offers a myriad of benefits for workers, with just a few drawbacks. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate those drawbacks, particularly regarding security. Even better, most of these techniques are simple for remote workers, no matter where they are. First, ensuring that your software is up-to-date is the best (and easiest) way to protect yourself and your business. Bad actors typically attack through older versions of software, so keeping it up-to-date will minimize the risk of you becoming a target. Next, avoiding public wi-fi networks is another key tip. Public networks are prone to malware and can infect your computer, harming you and your business.

Protect Yourself with AXEL

Finally, using a secure file-sharing system is key to protecting your most vital files from data breaches and ransomware attacks. That’s where AXEL Go comes in. Offering industry-leading encryption and decentralized blockchain technology, AXEL Go is the best way to protect yourself and your business from unauthorized cybercriminals. In a world where remote work is becoming the norm, secure file-sharing is a necessity for any business. If you’re ready to try the best protection, get two free weeks of AXEL Go here. 

[1] Ballard, Jamie. “Most Remote Employees Don’t Want to Return to the Workplace after the Pandemic.” YouGov. January 19, 2021.  https://today.yougov.com/topics/economy/articles-reports/2021/01/19/remote-employees-work-from-home-poll.

[2] Lufkin, Bryan. “Is the Great Digital-nomad Workforce Actually Coming?” BBC Worklife. June 15, 2021. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210615-is-the-great-digital-nomad-workforce-actually-coming.

[3] Courtney, Emily. “The Benefits of Working From Home Beyond the Pandemic: FlexJobs.” FlexJobs Job Search Tips and Blog. September 03, 2021. https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/benefits-of-remote-work/.

[4] Kelly, Jack. “How CEOs And Workers Feel About Working Remotely Or Returning To The Office.” Forbes. March 19, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/03/19/how-ceos-and-workers-feel-about-working-remotely-or-returning-to-the-office/.

[5] Curran, Enda. “Work From Home to Lift Productivity by 5% in Post-Pandemic U.S.” Bloomberg.com. April 22, 2021. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-22/yes-working-from-home-makes-you-more-productive-study-finds.

[6] Ryan, Kevin J. “Why Apple Employees Are Objecting to the Company’s Remote Work Rules.” Inc.com. July 20, 2021. https://www.inc.com/kevin-j-ryan/apple-employees-letter-return-to-office.html.

Big Tech’s Big Secret: Why Google and Apple Want Your Data

Two of the biggest tech companies in Silicon Valley have long been rivals. Whether it be iPhone vs. Android or Chrome vs. Safari, Apple and Google have never been on the friendliest of terms. Except for one, massive partnership. This year, Google is expected to pay Apple USD $15 billion to have Google be the default search engine on Safari [1]. At first, this deal seems like a head-scratcher. After all, why would Google pay its biggest rival billions when most already prefer Google as their search engine of choice? Put simply, Google outbids others to ensure other corporations (namely, Microsoft) can’t have their search engines become the default.

In addition to the two companies’ rivalry, there is another reason why Apple and Google’s lucrative partnership is so puzzling. Specifically, the two corporations’ stance on data privacy. In recent years, Apple has highlighted its privacy features extensively, with entire marketing campaigns dedicated to showcasing Apple’s (seemingly) hard-line stance on user privacy. On the other hand, Google’s revenue depends on advertising, and thus, user data. Over 80% of Google’s revenue comes from targeted advertising [2]. Overall, Apple and Google’s partnership shows how Big Tech companies that claim to prioritize your privacy may sacrifice that right for a big payday.

Apple’s Stance on Privacy

Just a few months ago, Apple launched a marketing campaign with the tagline “Privacy. That’s iPhone [3].” Clearly, Apple knows that privacy is something that the public wants, particularly in today’s Digital Age. In fact, Apple even states that “Privacy is a fundamental human right” on its website. On Apple’s site that details its privacy features, the company touts that Maps “doesn’t associate your data with your Apple ID” and that “your Apple ID isn’t connected to Siri.” Finally, Apple states that Safari “helps stop advertisers that follow you from site to site [4].” Clearly, Apple wants its users to believe their data is protected with them. Put simply, Apple wants to market itself as the Big Tech company that actually cares about your privacy. But is that the case?

Well, not really. While Apple is certainly better with privacy than most other Silicon Valley giants, that’s not a particularly high bar to clear. Apple still collects data in aggregate and keeps your exact maps locations for 24 hours [5]. While Apple may say that the benefits of this data collection vastly outweigh the harms, they’re still collecting the data. But worst of all, Apple still allows apps that don’t care about privacy at all. All of Apple’s privacy features are only on its own software. If you use more popular apps, such as Google Maps, Gmail, Facebook, YouTube, and others, you’re not protecting your data, even if you’re using the apps on an iPhone.

So while Apple talks a big game, and has certainly made positive steps toward a more private future, it’s still misleading to say Apple truly cares about your privacy. By still allowing data-hungry apps on its App Store, your data is still exposed on Apple’s hardware. Of course, Apple is a business, and simply not allowing these popular apps would be a massive change. However, the implication that all of your data is protected on Apple devices is simply misleading.

Google and User Privacy

While Apple has taken some steps to protect user data, Google’s entire business model depends upon the collection and sale of data. Google collects, among other things, website histories, Gmail data (including email drafts), and specific location data, even when the Google Maps app isn’t open [6]. Google then takes that personal data and sells it, allowing companies to target their ads to specific audiences. With this hyper-specific information, Google can line its pockets with revenue, while your data is exposed to advertisers.

In fact, Google’s entire business model is the sale of user data. That’s why nearly all of Google’s products are completely free. From Google Maps to YouTube, Gmail to Drive, Google offers all of these services for free. And many have wondered how Google can offer such complicated software for no cost. The answer? Google’s software isn’t their main product. You are their main product.

For Big Tech, It’s All About Ads

Unfortunately, Google is just one of many corporations whose main product isn’t software or programs. It’s you and your data. Similar to Google, Facebook makes the vast majority of its revenue through ads. Facebook learns as much as possible about you, then uses that data to deluge your timeline with hyper-specific ads [7]. Additionally, the goal of Amazon’s expansion into smart speakers and grocery stores isn’t just to offer a wider suite of products. It’s about gathering even more information about its customers and sharing that with advertisers [8]. 

While Facebook and Amazon both carefully state that they don’t “sell” your data to third parties, they do “share” your data with third parties. In practice, this still means advertisers can pay for access to your data. And, unfortunately, that is how most Big Tech companies operate. While these mega-corporations may offer a variety of free software and products to customers, those aren’t their main business. If they aren’t selling products or services, they’re selling you.

AXEL is Different

At AXEL, we also believe that privacy is a human right. Unlike other companies though, we don’t hide behind our slogans. AXEL takes steps to ensure your data is protected from cybercriminals and advertisers alike. From military-grade encryption to blockchain technology, AXEL offers the most stringent security for your most important data.

Additionally, with AXEL, you’re not the product. That’s why we never sell your data to any third party. We don’t offer any “too good to be true” deals while selling your data on the side. AXEL Go is a secure file-sharing and storage software that puts you in control of your data. If you’re ready to take back control of your data, try two weeks of AXEL Go for free here. After the free trial, AXEL Go is just $9.99 per month. After all, our business model is offering the best, most secure file-sharing service to all; not offering your private data to the highest bidder.

[1] Ion, Florence. “Google Continues to Pay Apple Billions to Keep You From Using… Bing?” Gizmodo. August 26, 2021. https://gizmodo.com/google-will-continue-to-pay-apple-billions-to-keep-you-1847564608.

[2] Graham, Megan, and Jennifer Elias. “How Google’s $150 Billion Advertising Business Works.” CNBC. May 21, 2021. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/18/how-does-google-make-money-advertising-business-breakdown-.html.

[3] Apple. YouTube. May 20, 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w4qPUSG17Y.

[4] “Privacy.” Apple. 

https://www.apple.com/privacy/.

[5] “Apple Delivers a New Redesigned Maps for All Users in the United States.” Apple Newsroom. August 06, 2021. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/01/apple-delivers-a-new-redesigned-maps-for-all-users-in-the-united-states/.

[6] Haselton, Todd. “How to Find out What Google Knows about You and Limit the Data It Collects.” CNBC. December 06, 2017. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/20/what-does-google-know-about-me.html.

[7] Gilbert, Ben. “How Facebook Makes Money from Your Data, in Mark Zuckerberg’s Words.” Business Insider. April 11, 2018. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-facebook-makes-money-according-to-mark-zuckerberg-2018-4.
[8] M, Laura. “Does Amazon Sell Your Personal Information?” DeleteMe. August 21, 2020. https://joindeleteme.com/blog/does-amazon-sell-your-personal-information/.

Bitcoin has Entered the Mainstream. Now What?

For centuries, individual governments have created, distributed, and regulated their own physical currencies. Even with the rise of checks, debit cards, and credit cards, nationalized currency is still the norm for every country on Earth. Of course, the physical currency itself isn’t valuable. After all, a $100 bill isn’t made with $100 worth of materials; the bill is valuable because the government says it’s worth $100. So if the material itself doesn’t provide the value, what if something other than physical currency could provide value too?

Even something as integrated as physical currency was still susceptible to new, digital ideas. In 2009, bitcoin was launched. While it languished in relative obscurity for its first few years, it entered the public consciousness after one high-profile case: the Silk Road marketplace. The revelation of a thriving, online black market that survived on anonymous, digital payments was frightening to many. However, it also showed what the future of currency could be. A fully digital, borderless currency has the potential to change the entire global economy. And while this economic revolution is a long way away, bitcoin continues to gain momentum, proving itself to be more than just a fad. And while bitcoin may never overtake national currencies, its ever-growing acceptance shows that it isn’t going away any time soon.

From Obscurity to Omnipresence

When bitcoin was first launched, it was almost completely unknown. After all, cryptocurrencies weren’t really a thing in 2009. And even until 2016, an estimated 46% of all bitcoin transactions were used for illegal goods and services [1]. Put simply, bitcoin was much more popular among the dark corners of the Internet than the general population in the coin’s early days. However, in 2017, bitcoin entered the mainstream. That year, the value of bitcoin increased 1,824%, from under USD $1,000 to a then-high of USD $19,783 [2]. And while bitcoin’s value remained volatile after this jump, it proved that bitcoin was more than a currency for illegal goods; it was a currency with the potential to revolutionize business and government.

In 2021, it is beginning to realize that potential. While widespread use and acceptance of bitcoin is still hypothetical, major corporations are beginning to embrace the revolutionary cryptocurrency. Businesses that accept bitcoin payments include AT&T, Overstock and PayPal [3]. And while traditional cash and credit cards still make up the vast majority of purchases at these businesses, bitcoin’s increased acceptance highlights its continued momentum in 2021.

In addition to corporations’ acceptance, some national governments are encouraging the use of bitcoin as well. In June 2021, El Salvador passed a law making bitcoin a legal currency in the country [4]. While it does not go into effect until September 7, this radical experiment could be the turning point for bitcoin. If successful, El Salvador could show how bitcoin can be used as an effective, convenient and stable currency. Its potential success in El Salvador could lead to more widespread adoption as legal tender in various countries, making the coin even more valuable, and more stable. However, if unsuccessful, it could highlight bitcoin’s volatility, decreasing its value and slowing its momentum.

Government Regulations

While most countries don’t accept bitcoin as a currency, that doesn’t mean that it is free from government oversight. Although bitcoin was created as a decentralized, international currency, it is still subject to national laws. And with its growing popularity comes growing regulation. For example, China has banned banks and other financial institutions from providing services regarding cryptocurrency. This means bitcoin trading is outlawed in China, although individuals are still allowed to hold cryptocurrencies [5]. China’s government blames bitcoin’s high volatility for the ban, claiming that cryptocurrency trading could put individuals and the entire nation’s economy at risk.

In the United States, however, bitcoin trading is legal and faces relatively few regulations. Americans are free to buy and sell cryptocurrencies with little government interference. However, it may not be this simple for long. Lawmakers are attempting to increase regulations on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, stating that they pose a tax evasion risk [6]. Therefore, Congress is debating the addition of more tax-reporting requirements for cryptocurrencies [7]. So while cryptocurrency faces few regulations in the United States today, it will likely become regulated similarly to stocks and gold in the future.

Finally, bitcoin has faced pressure from environmental activists as well. The process of bitcoin “mining” is energy-intensive, with high-powered computers constantly churning to solve complex algorithms. Due to this mining, the cryptocurrency itself has a larger carbon footprint than American Airlines [8]. Because of this massive environmental impact, bitcoin may not be a sustainable currency, as it will remain minable until 2140 [9].

The Future of Bitcoin

In a way, bitcoin is similar to a promising startup: It burst into the mainstream in 2017 and has shown incredible potential. However, it’s going up against a powerful competitor: Physical currency. Therefore, bitcoin has to prove its worth in order to survive. Can it maintain stability and keep consumer trust? Can it offer benefits that physical currency can’t? Right now, we simply don’t know. However, its increased acceptance by businesses and governments can certainly lead to trust, stability and convenience. Therefore, its potential is still sky-high.

Ultimately, potential is not the same as success though. An estimated 17% of Americans now own a share of bitcoin [10]. But many of those owners see bitcoin as an investment, rather than a competing currency. And for those who don’t own bitcoin, it is still seen as unstable, confusing and complex. Put simply, bitcoin is not more convenient than physical currency in 2021, and is significantly more volatile. It doesn’t have the widespread use and trust that it requires to be a competing currency. So while bitcoin has certainly gained momentum and trust in recent years, it still has a long way to go before proving itself to be a viable, everyday currency.

[1] Foley, Sean, and Jonathan R. Karlsen. “Sex, Drugs, and Bitcoin: How Much Illegal Activity Is Financed Through Cryptocurrencies?” OUP Academic. April 04, 2019. https://academic.oup.com/rfs/article/32/5/1798/5427781.

[2] Morris, David Z. “Bitcoin Hits a New Record High, But Stops Short of $20,000.” Fortune. December 17, 2017. 

https://fortune.com/2017/12/17/bitcoin-record-high-short-of-20000/.

[3] Lisa, Andrew. “10 Major Companies That Accept Bitcoin.” Yahoo! Finance. August 25, 2021. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-major-companies-accept-bitcoin-190340692.html.

[4] “Bitcoin to Become Legal Tender in El Salvador on Sept 7.” Reuters. June 25, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/technology/bitcoin-become-legal-tender-el-salvador-sept-7-2021-06-25/

[5] “China Bans Financial, Payment Institutions from Cryptocurrency Business.” Reuters. May 18, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinese-financial-payment-bodies-barred-cryptocurrency-business-2021-05-18/.

[6] Franck, Thomas. “U.S. Treasury Calls for Stricter Cryptocurrency Compliance with IRS, Says They Pose Tax Evasion Risk.” CNBC. May 20, 2021. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/20/us-treasury-calls-for-stricter-cryptocurrency-compliance-with-irs.html.

[7] Kelly, Makena. “Controversial Crypto Rules Remain in Infrastructure Bill after House Vote.” The Verge. August 25, 2021. https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/25/22641375/cryptocurrency-infrastructure-irs-tax-developers-miners-bitcoin.

[8] Mellor, Sophie. “Elon Musk Is Right: Bitcoin Mining Is Bad for the Planet.” Fortune. May 13, 2021. 

https://fortune.com/2021/05/13/musk-bitcoin-mining-bad-planet-heres-how-bad/.

[9] Hayes, Adam. “What Happens to Bitcoin After All 21 Million Are Mined?” Investopedia. August 23, 2021. https://www.investopedia.com/tech/what-happens-bitcoin-after-21-million-mined/.

[10] “About 46 Million Americans Now Own Bitcoin.” Nasdaq. May 14, 2021.https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/about-46-million-americans-now-own-bitcoin-2021-05-14.