Big data refers to large amounts of data that are collected, stored, processed and analysed using specific procedures. It is impossible to imagine economy and society without data; they are obtained from people's activities on the Internet and via mobile phones, are the basis for activities on the financial markets, are relevant in the energy industry, health care and transport; they are covered by the use of credit and customer cards, surveillance cameras, airplanes and vehicles, chatting via WhatsApp, postings on Facebook (or other providers), the use of assistive devices such as Alexa, Curtana or Siri, the use of fitness wristwatches and soon the use of “intelligent refrigerators”, the smart table lamp, face recognition at train stations, body scanning at airports, “social scoring”, and so on. It is estimated that the amount of data having been collected doubles every two years.

Data in large quantities, “big data”, are the “oil” of the digital age. They represent a significant economic factor and growth engine. Firstly, because they serve to optimise production processes. On the other hand, because new products – such as the “intelligent” watch – are created on the basis of technologies that generate data.

The development and use of data on a large scale raises questions about the political control: Who has access to the data? How can the misuse of data be prevented, how can transparency be ensured? How can it be prevented that data are removed from social, democratic control, for example by handing it over to secret services? Attempts to regulate the development and use of data to protect personal rights are formulated in data protection regulations.

Big data refers to large amounts of data that are collected, stored, processed and analysed using specific procedures. This is associated with great hopes. At the same time challenges and risks are discussed. Above all, big data is political. Why? Read it yourself!

First of all, a brief video introduction to some aspects - as one of many presentations published on the Internet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAyrObl7TYE

Questions about the film:

What are big data according to this representation?

What can you learn about data storage?

Which aspects you know about big data were not mentioned?