Ethics of Big Data
Katelyn Reid
2022-09-09
Date that this article was published: June 22, 2021
Summary of the Article
Big data has evolved to facilitate the rise in new technologies like IoT (internet of things) devices and AI (artificial intelligence), which generate, analyse and use data at a faster, larger and more complex scale than most humans could ever comprehend. Big data has the potential to improve our lives for the better, but if wrongly implemented, it could negatively impact the lives of millions - this is why we require big data ethics. Data transfer happens all of the time, where users’ data is given to various organizations whether they know it or not. Big data ethics aims to create an ethical and moral code of conduct for the use of this data.
How Can This Affect You?
The process of an individual generating data that can be shared is known as user interaction because we interact with a system that collects our data. If you use any form of technology, there is a good chance that at least some of your data is being collected. This affects you, as your data can be used in a variety of ways, and you most likely want your data to be used in only the ways you want it to be used. This is why the ethics of big data are important, as you should have a right to know and control how your data is used.
Author Information
Dominique Daly is the author of this article concerning ethics of big data. She is an author that has many blog posts on the Hurree website, covering a variety of topics. The most common topics that she writes about are big data, marketing strategy, and marketing/data analytics.
My Thoughts
I agree with this author in regards to the assertion that the ethics of big data is of high importance. I also really enjoyed being able to learn more about specific methods of data transfer and what is being done in this field. This article definitely is good at getting across the importance of ethics in the world of data, and it also keeps readers updated with some big data regulations, as influenced by the GDPR (The General Data Protection Regulation).
For More Information
Useful Takeaways
There are five main areas of concern in big data ethics:
Informed Consent
Privacy
Ownership
Algorithm Bias and Objectivity
Big Data Divide
The General Data Protection Regulation has influenced three key areas of digital marketing:
Legal basis for processing - GDPR laid out several grounds for data processing (consent, contract, legal obligation, vital interests, public task, legitimate interest).
Getting consent - Most marketers now rely on consent as their basis for processing; the law requires consent to be ‘granular, affirmative and freely given’, meaning old practices like pre-ticked opt-in boxes are no longer acceptable.
Opting out - Consent must be freely given and easily revoked during your relationship with an individual and their data - it is now standard practice to include an ‘unsubscribe’ button in all direct marketing to ensure GDPR compliance.
Random Plot/Data Table
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