Implications of Big Data for Individuals

Implications of Big Data for Individuals 


Firstly, it can be argued that Big Data leaves societies vulnerable and breaches civil liberties, especially in authoritarian governments that may utilise Big Data sets for immoral reasons, such as against political opponents. Big Data that has been collected by companies can be analysed by security services. These could include very personal data such as NHS health records.


We watched a really good video which simplified the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and it explained what the act would allow authorities to carry out.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers

Legislation related to the implications of Big Data for Individuals includes the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, which allows:

·         Security services to legally bug computers and phones with a warrant.

·         Security services to analyse bulk collections of communications data.

·         Access to named individuals’ communications within one working day under the recently passed law, including encrypted messages.

·         The government the capability to simultaneously intercept or obtain secondary data from 6500 people at one time.

This could allow individuals to be targeted, especially if similar laws are passed in other countries, journalists could be put at risk of suppression, and the free press could be attacked.

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