Big Data is a breakthrough technology for a lot of companies. It has allowed them to facilitate the real-time processing of massive data sets they have collected from various sources in order to significantly enhance their businesses. A major contributing factor has been the development of tools and techniques (e.g., data visualization, data analytics, and machine learning) which have paved the way for its application in a diverse range of fields and industries.
Today, we enjoy a lot of the benefits of Big Data use. This, however, should not be taken as a license to do away with other things of equal value (if not more) such as the people’s fundamental rights and freedoms. Throughout history, bargains like that have never ended up well.