Big Data
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What's at Stake
鈥淏ig data鈥� is a term used to describe the collection and aggregation of enormous amounts of information that can be processed and analyzed only by powerful computers. Large corporations are amassing personal information about individuals and constructing profiles that are as detailed as possible, with sensitive information that includes political opinions, religion, race, and medical conditions. And we might never know it鈥檚 out there.
听
This kind of data is generally collected to be sold to other businesses looking to capitalize on knowing whatever they can about consumers. But data brokers also engage in predatory business practices that target the poor, elderly, or other vulnerable populations. A Senate Commerce Committee report recently described how some marketers have used racial and other characteristics to identify 鈥渢he most and least desirable consumers.鈥�
听
The ACLU has joined with leading civil rights and media justice groups to endorse 鈥�.鈥� These principles include:
听
- Stopping high-tech profiling.听
- Preserving constitutional principles in new technology.听
- Enhancing individual control of personal information.听
鈥淏ig data鈥� is a term used to describe the collection and aggregation of enormous amounts of information that can be processed and analyzed only by powerful computers. Large corporations are amassing personal information about individuals and constructing profiles that are as detailed as possible, with sensitive information that includes political opinions, religion, race, and medical conditions. And we might never know it鈥檚 out there.
听
This kind of data is generally collected to be sold to other businesses looking to capitalize on knowing whatever they can about consumers. But data brokers also engage in predatory business practices that target the poor, elderly, or other vulnerable populations. A Senate Commerce Committee report recently described how some marketers have used racial and other characteristics to identify 鈥渢he most and least desirable consumers.鈥�
听
The ACLU has joined with leading civil rights and media justice groups to endorse 鈥�.鈥� These principles include:
听
- Stopping high-tech profiling.听
- Preserving constitutional principles in new technology.听
- Enhancing individual control of personal information.听
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