> ## 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. # What is The Effect Of Big Data On Your Privacy? - URL: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/what-is-the-effect-of-big-data-on-your-privacy/ - Published: 2013-01-24T00:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-04T05:37:58.000Z - Description: If Big Data is about making money, it is about creating value and value should be placed on the balance sheet as an asset. - Author: Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP - Tags: Big Data, Strategy With every new disruptive technology comes new issues and with [Big Data](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/big-data-speaker/) comes privacy issues. As more and more data is collected, stored and analysed by companies, organisations, consumers and governments it is important to have specific Big Data privacy regulations organised; Big Data brings big responsibility. More and more consumers and organisations are getting aware of Big Data as can be derived from the [Google Trends](http://www.google.com/trends/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) graph about Big Data privacy searched. There has been a steep rise in Big Data privacy related searches. With more and more people aware of Big Data, it is just a matter of time before consumers will start asking questions about their privacy. Albeit Big Data seems to bring many advantages to organisations and governments, business cannot forget the privacy aspect of all that data. They will have to map their Big Data privacy needs on time and ensure that Big Data privacy issues are dealt with before any problems arise. They will need to be aware of local regulations or otherwise local authorities will respond and demand action, as was the case with [WhatsApp](http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/01/28/canada-and-dutch-authorities-claim-whatsapp-violates-international-privacy-laws-reforms-being-made/?fromcat=all&ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) in Canada and The Netherlands. Privacy wise, the problem with Big Data is not so much the technology or the possibilities it offers, but the vast amounts of (anonymized) data. By nature, Big Data is not privacy-friendly as even anonymized data can re-identify individuals as long as there is enough data and enough links to be created. Microsoft research is developing “Differential Privacy technology” because of this issue, in order to prevent re-identifying anonymous people. Even [Neelie Kroes](http://ec.europa.eu/commission%5F2010-2014/kroes/about/cv/index%5Fen.htm?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com), Vice-President of the European Commission, has an [agenda](http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release%5FSPEECH-12-716%5Fen.htm?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) on Digital Online Privacy. However, traditional privacy regulations will prove not sufficient regarding Big Data. New policies related to privacy, security, intellectual property, data ownership etc. will need to be developed in order to meet the changing needs of business that are developing a Big Data strategy. In reference to this, the UK data watchdog, the [ICO](http://www.ico.gov.uk/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com), [recently published](http://www.zdnet.com/ico-publishes-code-of-practice-for-anonymizing-data-7000007791/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) its [code of practice in *Anonymisation: Managing data protection risk*](http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/latest%5Fnews/2012/~/media/documents/library/Data%5FProtection/Practical%5Fapplication/anonymisation%5Fcode.ashx?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com). Such new Big Data policies will have to be developed by organisations and governments around the world in order to protect consumers and ensure organisation are not left vulnerable to serious data breaches that could occur. Therefore, as Big Data privacy is such an important issue, it is one of the Big Data trends as described on this platform, we will develop a separate section on privacy at this Big Data platform. Please contact us if you have items you want to discuss or join the discussion in the comment section. ###### *Picture courtesy of: © Gingergirl |* [*Stock Free Images*](http://www.stockfreeimages.com/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) *&*[*Dreamstime Stock Photos*](http://www.dreamstime.com/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) ##### *Image Credit:* [*wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock*](https://www.shutterstock.com/g/wavebreakmedia?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) ## Frequently asked questions ### Why is Big Data considered a threat to privacy? The core issue is not the technology itself but the vast amounts of data collected, including anonymized data. Big Data is not inherently privacy-friendly because even anonymized data can be used to re-identify individuals if enough data and enough links between datasets exist, making privacy protection difficult despite the benefits Big Data offers organisations and governments. [Link to this question](#faq-why-is-big-data-considered-a-threat-to-privacy) ### Can anonymized data really be traced back to individuals? Yes, anonymized data can still be used to re-identify individuals as long as there is sufficient data and enough links can be created between different data points. This is precisely why Microsoft research has been developing Differential Privacy technology, specifically aimed at preventing the re-identification of people whose data has been anonymized. [Link to this question](#faq-can-anonymized-data-really-be-traced-back-to-individuals) ### Are current privacy laws enough to handle Big Data? No, traditional privacy regulations are not sufficient to address the challenges posed by Big Data. New policies covering privacy, security, intellectual property, and data ownership need to be developed by organisations and governments to meet the changing needs of businesses pursuing Big Data strategies and to protect consumers from vulnerabilities and serious data breaches. [Link to this question](#faq-are-current-privacy-laws-enough-to-handle-big-data) ### What happens if companies ignore local privacy regulations? If businesses fail to map their Big Data privacy needs and address privacy issues proactively, local authorities may respond and demand action, as happened with WhatsApp in Canada and The Netherlands. This shows that companies must stay aware of local regulations before problems arise, rather than dealing with consequences after the fact. [Link to this question](#faq-what-happens-if-companies-ignore-local-privacy-regulations)