White House Releases Report on Big Data

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whitehouseThe White House published a new report that explores the impact of big data on the economy, government, and society. The report noted the many ways that data is creating saving lives, making the government work better, and improving the economy. It also outlined a series of recommendations to promote privacy, fairness, and non-discrimination.

In January, President Obama asked John Podesta, Counselor to the President, to lead a wide-ranging review of “big data” and privacy—to explore how these technologies are changing our economy, our government, and our society, and to consider their implications for our personal privacy. Together with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, the President’s Science Advisor John Holdren, the President’s Economic Advisor Jeff Zients, and other senior officials, the review sought to understand what is genuinely new and different about big data and to consider how best to encourage the potential of these technologies while minimizing risks to privacy and core American values.

Over the course of 90 days, the team met with academic researchers and privacy advocates, with regulators and the technology industry, with advertisers and civil rights groups. The President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology conducted a parallel study of the technological trends underpinning big data. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy jointly organized three university conferences at MIT, NYU, and U.C. Berkeley. The team issued a formal Request for Information seeking public comment, and hosted a survey to generate even more public input.

You can download the report “Big Data: Seizing Opportunities, Preserving Values” HERE.

 

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