Consumer Privacy in the Age of Big Data

Abstract

No matter how we safeguard our privacy by turning off our cell phones, avoiding the use of in-vehicle apps, deactivating Facebook accounts, opting out on all data collections, and evading Google and Bing’s social searches, there are still plenty of public records that are obtainable by anyone who is willing to pay. Websites such as Intelius (whose trademark is “Live in the know”) displays the age, past cities of residence, and names of the relatives on any person whom we search for. This and several other websites also sell public records including full name, date of birth, phone, address history, marriage/divorce records, property ownership, lawsuits, convictions, and other public information for a nominal fee.

America needs a robust privacy framework that preserves consumer trust in the evolving Internet economy while ensuring the Web remains a platform for innovation, jobs, and economic growth.

—U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke

(December 2010)

I will include easier access to one’s own data in the new rules. People must be able to easily take their data to another provider or have it deleted if they no longer want it to be used.

—E.U. Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding

(January 2012)