Ride the Lightning

Big Data: A Tool for Inclusion or Exclusion?

January 14, 2016

The FTC certainly asked the right question in its January report entitled Big Data: A Tool for Inclusion or Exclusion? As we have already seen, big data is a strange beast, often given to inherent biases, and sometimes used in violation of federal laws.

This 50-page report is important to anyone who deals with – or sells – big data analytics. I especially liked the series of questions that the FTC suggests that businesses ask themselves involving accuracy, privacy, security, impact on the ability to obtain housing, credit or employment, use of racial or national origin a criteria, the uses customers make of their data, etc.

As the report says "big data can have big consequences" so the report operates as a cautionary document to make sure big data analytics are used in accordance with the law and the FTC promises that it will bring enforcement actions where appropriate.

I certainly hope so – and applaud the FTC for recently taking on some major issues and flexing its muscles in enforcing laws that protect the public.

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