Should We Treat Big Data as a Public Good?

Abstract

By clicks, likes, tweets, photos, blog posts, online transactions, we (people and businesses) allow for creating Big Data. Our digital traces tell the story about our professions, preferences, choices, transactions, traveling, habits etc. They permit to get information about who we are and what we do as individuals and organisations. This process is associated with a threat but also an opportunity for the social and economic development. The key question is how to ensure that the data we create continue to improve our lives, innovation, and sustainable development. A majority of Big Data is no longer housed in statistical agencies, but housed by businesses including Online Services Providers (OSPs). We state that regulators should consider this data as a public good and build the platforms for public and private partnerships to ensure advantage of digital technology, improved connectivity, and data revolution.