Revisiting "Big Data Morality" (MIT CDO Symposium 2015)

Recent events regarding Facebook and Cambridge Analytica are once again waking consumers and business leaders to the power, and potential danger, of the massive amounts of identifiable and addressable data available in big data stores; whether provided by users directly or collected as digital exhaust.

In what seemed a simpler time, July 2015, I had the privilege to speak on the topic of “Big Data Morality” at the MIT Chief Data Officers Symposium. 

In that talk (presentation, interview, infographic), I cautioned against businesses hiding from big data, as at-the-time high profile data breaches had many running for cover, and instead embracing its promise of greater engagement and relevancy, guided by a set of big data morality principles and the wants of their customers, who seek (…perhaps, expect…) these benefits.

Below are the principles that I shared that day, and seem to be as relevant today:

• Big Data morality is everyone’s job! This is not a function to be outsourced to an internal group or IT, simply because they own the “data container”. Use cases and a sense of responsibility needs be pervasive across and up-and-down the organization.
• Be proactive. Initiate the dialog internally and with Customers. Create appropriate codes of conduct and guidelines that reflect your Corporate values.
• Be transparent & give Customers a sense of control. Make privacy, use and opt-in policies visible and easy to understand; say what is being collected, why, and how it will be used.
• Focus on the business value to Customers and benefits to your business by having this data. Create “give to get” opportunities to create a virtuous cycle of trust and allow Customers to progressively provide information based on value to them.
• Leverage Analytics to bring context to your data and add value for your business and Customers; go beyond simple raw data.
• Secure your Customers’ data. Perform security audits and do not take-on data you do not foresee needing!
• Shift from a compliance mindset to stewardship, creating a voice-of-the-customer in the discussion that presses the value and benefit questions.
• When in doubt, let corporate values…and Customer value…be your guide

I welcome hearing from you about the actions you are taking in this area, and embracing a conversation that makes us stewards, beneficiaries and responsible users of Customer data.

#BigDataMorality; #BigDataValue