> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # In The World of Big Data, Nothing Is For Free - URL: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/in-the-world-of-big-data-nothing-is-for-free/ - Published: 2013-03-27T00:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-04T05:40:23.000Z - Description: In the world of Big Data only more and more data will be collected and these data will pay for the 'free' services that are offered online. - Author: Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP - Tags: Privacy companies. A perfect [example](http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2013/03/facebook-new-news-feed/62816/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) is Facebook, where the [advertising](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/ai-advertising-speaker/) space in the news feed is becoming larger and larger. As long as users do not feel that this is an intrusion into their private space, Facebook can continue to show more advertising. Facebook’s [Graph Search](https://www.facebook.com/about/graphsearch) will use more information of your profile, and even starts [buying](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/technology/facebook-expands-targeted-advertising-through-outside-data-sources.html?%5Fr=0&ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) information from third parties, to improve its targeted advertising. We therefore need to become more aware about our Big Data footprints online. We should be more willing to understand the costs of those ‘free’ services. We actually should start to think of each data point as an economic transaction occurring between the user and the service provider. Paying attention to the terms & conditions and privacy statements of websites would be done more often. As well as checking your privacy settings on the social networks once in a while. Fortunately, [more](http://www.pcworld.com/article/2027694/get-ready-for-facebook-graph-search.html?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) and [more](http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/3-privacy-settings-tweak-facebook-graph-search-rolls-out-1B7988034?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) websites are advising users how to adjust the privacy settings to appropriate levels. What else could be the solution? The solution is two fold. First of all, companies should be very clear about what data they collect and what they do with it. Who reads a privacy post I tried to create guidelines for Big Data ethics and privacy and one of these are simplicity and transparency. What’s wrong with a simple and short privacy statement of less than 1.000 words? If companies are transparent about what data they collect, why they collect it and what they do with it than users can decide for themselves whether or not they want to use the service / product. The second solution can be to give users the opportunity to use a service without any data being collected or stored. In that case the user should be able to pay for the service with money. This is a validated approach, as the success of App.net shows who have already [20.000](http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/01/app-net-now-has-20000-users-drops-its-price-from-50-to-36-per-year-introduces-a-5-per-month-plan/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) paying users. In the world of Big Data, companies will only collect more and more data from users. More data means more insights that could lead to more revenue. However, users should be aware of this and have to possibility to pay with real money instead of with their data for services that they want to use. So be aware of how you use products /services and remember that nothing in this world is free of charge. ###### Image: © Krisjacobs | [Dreamstime Stock Photos](http://www.dreamstime.com/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) & [Stock Free Images](http://www.stockfreeimages.com/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) ##### *Image Credit:* [*adirekjob/Shutterstock*](https://www.shutterstock.com/g/adirekjob?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) ## Frequently asked questions ### What does it mean that nothing is free in the world of Big Data? Services that appear free, such as Facebook, are actually paid for with user data instead of money. Companies collect and use personal information, including data bought from third parties, to improve targeted advertising, meaning every interaction functions as an economic transaction between the user and the service provider rather than a truly free exchange. [Link to this question](#faq-what-does-it-mean-that-nothing-is-free-in-the-world-of-big) ### How can companies address concerns about data collection? Companies should be clear and transparent about what data they collect and why, offering simple, short privacy statements under 1,000 words rather than lengthy documents nobody reads. This transparency allows users to make informed decisions about whether they want to use a particular service or product based on the actual data costs involved. [Link to this question](#faq-how-can-companies-address-concerns-about-data-collection) ### Is there an alternative to paying for services with personal data? Yes, users could be given the option to pay with real money instead of their data, avoiding any collection or storage of personal information. App.net is cited as a validated example of this approach, having attracted 20,000 paying users who chose to pay directly rather than hand over their data. [Link to this question](#faq-is-there-an-alternative-to-paying-for-services-with) ### Why should users pay attention to privacy settings and terms and conditions? Because Big Data footprints have real costs, users should understand what they are giving up when using supposedly free services. Reviewing privacy statements and periodically checking privacy settings on social networks helps people recognize how their information is being used, especially as more websites now offer guidance on adjusting these settings appropriately. [Link to this question](#faq-why-should-users-pay-attention-to-privacy-settings-and)