Big Tech – Big Data – Big Threat?

Introduction

In each unit, the students will be assigned discussion questions concerning unit topics, examine the presented topics, and complete the discussion tasks. After submitting the initial posting, the students will provide constructive criticism of at least two peers’ initial postings, including the perceived strengths, weaknesses, and specific opportunities for improvement.

The initial post should be a minimum of one page double spaced in length. Refer to the discussion rubric for grading criteria which includes using credible sources (properly cited in APA format) and linking in the unit’s concepts and terms for critical analysis.

It is recommended that your use a word processer, such as MS Word and use both spell checking and grammar checking tools. You should expand your grammar checking tools in Word to cover any writing weaknesses (such as setting to Grammar and Style in Word). You can then copy and paste your post into the discussion forum. While there is no minimum or maximum word expectation for peer responses, they are expected to be substantive in nature and linked to credible sources. All work should reflect graduate-level critical thinking, as well as an ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate given scenarios and tasks.

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Directions

From the United States, to Europe, and China, big tech firms are under scrutiny of government regulators around the world. This includes companies such as Facebook, Amazon, Google, and Alibaba. These firms have grown into cross-border giants that pull in massive funds from advertising and sales. The major tool they use is consumer data analyzed through big-data engines to target communication to individual consumers.

Regulators have two major concerns. The first is that these firms are collecting data on individual consumer behaviors. The second is that these big tech firms are using their data advantage to push smaller, more traditional, businesses such as retailers, banks, finance, and advertising out of the market place. The Big Tech firms have argued that they provide value to the market, often at no cost to the consumer.

Europe has been much more aggressive in protecting consumer data requiring an “opt-in” by consumers for firms to use individual data. In the U.S., companies are free to use the data they collect on consumers to target advertising and products. In China, there is a fear that the data collected is shared with the Chinese government.

New data trends are emerging. In the U.S. over 30 million people have given their DNA to companies for health and heritage information. While these firms have privacy policies, DNA data is already being used by some big tech firms. DNA can be predictive of some human traits.

• Initial Post
• Peer Responses

Initial Post

You should follow the instructions below for your evaluation post and your peer responses. If your last name starts from: A – K (Group 1), answer the questions below in support of the big tech companies. If your last name starts from: L – Z (Group 2), answer the questions below in support of government regulations.

Discussion Issues:

1. Analyze the use of individual consumer big-data by big tech firms and the impact on society. Support with cited research.
2. Analyze the power of the big tech firms to control the market and limit competition. Support with cited research.