Big Data and the Bigger Picture

AuthorMorgan E. Kaptur - Steven D. Fisher - Delores Robinson - Clifford D. Fisher
PositionKrannert School of Management, Purdue University
Pages32-43
Vol. 2 No. 2
June, 2018
European Journal of Economics, Law and Social Sciences
IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria
ISSN 2519-1284
Acces online at www.iipccl.org
32
Big Data and the Bigger Picture
Morgan E. Kaptur
Krannert School of Management
Purdue University
Steven D. Fisher
Krannert School of Management
Purdue University
Delores Robinson
Krannert School of Management
Purdue University
Cli ord D. Fisher
Krannert School of Management
Purdue University
Abstract
In 1972, New York passed the Controlled Substances Act which allowed the state to collect
personal information about which individuals were prescribed drugs that were deemed high
priority on the illegal market. The case Whalen v. Roe was one of the rst recorded instances
to investigate this issue and truly analyze the legality of mass data collection. Fast forward 40
years and data has only become a larger part of everyday life for anyone uses a computer, cell
phone, or even visits their local pharmacy. Companies love collecting high volumes of data
because it allows them to analyze human behaviors and trends to optimize their businesses.
Fashion companies, grocery stores, government agencies, insurance companies, and many
more organizations desire information about their constituents for varying reasons. This mass
collection of data is termed “Big Data”. Big Data has become a popular and controversial topic
in the news. The two real-life stories below clarify a valid argument for each side.
Elderly Richard Guthrie answered his phone to an insurance company to discuss ways to
save on his life insurance plan. The next day when Richard went to the bank, he discovered his
money was gone. What happened was that Richard’s frequent entry into online sweepstakes
gave criminals access to his information, allowing them to pose as life insurance agents and
hack his accounts. In opposition, IBM is creating a Big Data Analytics Platform to enhance
government agencies ability to predict and prevent real time crime. Their plan suggests
uncovering suspicious relationships between people, events, and transactions to tenfold
increase general safety.
The case and examples above bring up an interesting question to the bene t of collecting
data versus the potential privacy and security risks. This paper de nes Big Data,
references current ma ers in society surrounding Big Data, and examines existing legal
statutes and regulations. These legal issues are used to help predict the future of Big Data
and set expectations for society and the government as time progresses. As technology
is changing, it is critical the courts continually analyze and question the precedents
set for Big Data collection. The paper presents the Big Picture in regard to Big Data.
Keywords: Big Data, Privacy, Data Collection, Technology, Corporations, Hacking.

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