In the past, the exchange of goods or services often occurred without money changing hands. In fact, it was done using “bartering." Today it might seem like a lost art but bartering could, in fact, be making comeback.

How? The rise of technology has meant that people can trade almost anything online. And today, many of us give away our data to companies in return for services. But is this system fair? More from the Financial Times's Gillian Tett on going back to the future with barter.