Data is the new gold! With data comes great power! But where does this data come from and at what cost?
In today's world, numbers have a significant importance. Whether we realize it or not, data collection underpins nearly every decision, from corporate strategies to governmental policies. Even the algorithms governing the internet operate on numerical principles. If you indulge in a series of TikTok videos featuring dogs, expect to encounter more canine content (supply and demand). If they notice that people want something, lots more of a similar content will suddenly appear.
Data leeches are everywhere - feeding on your data like leeches feed on blood! Your phone, tablet, desktop - even your fridge are collecting data! Data data data... they all want it..
However, the widespread reliance on data becomes contentious when applied to public sector. Companies and social media giants are feeding on you - like a leeches.
It's understandable why companies emphasize data analysis is important. As companies are accountable to share holders and staff, companies must justify their choices. Positive metrics validating these decisions can shield them from criticism and scrutiny.
While data-driven practices can spotlight exemplary innovations and development methods that enhance products, they also highlight systemic flaws beyond control.
The issue with data-driven approaches in organisations doesn't stem from individual manager's, who generally strive to excel within their means. Rather, the challenge lies in the data practices at national levels.
Little shop of horrors (1986). Do you remember Seymour and his plant? Feed me! Feeeeeed meeeee.... pleeeasseee... just a little bit... pleassee. What did it grow into? Are social media giants the same? They need your data, just the essentials, please, we promise to be good, we'll use the data to help you.
How Did Social Media Giants Evolve To Feast On Your Data?
While it might seem like everyone is out to get your data, social media companies are some of the biggest data hoarders when it comes to feeding on your data (they're an entire class of their own). The data collection includes, locations, interactions, friends, posts, images... basically anything they can get their hands on.
These data feeders have evolved their ability to feed on you; encouraging you to integrate as much of your life and data with their systems as possible.
Social media companies do not work for free - their money comes from you (your data, your participation). They collect use and sell your data to make a profit. Such as to marketing and advertising companies who want to know everything about you (your likes, dislikes, your habbits, ... so they can manipulate and control you).
We're in the digitial era - everything is digital! So data is everywhere!
We're generating more data than ever before - data is coming out of our ears! It's everwhere and it's all being recorded.
Social media (data feeders) are evolving and trying to take as much data as they can from you! There is no such thing as a free social media company - they let you use their services and resources in exchange for all your data (data is more valuable than you can imagine).
Of course, social media companies (youtube, twitter, facebook, ..) all want your data.
Just incase you have no idea what a zettabyte is - it's a digital unit of measurement. One zettabyte is equal to one sextillion bytes or 1021 (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) bytes, or, one zettabyte is equal to a trillion gigabytes.
Or simply, it would mean one billion, one terabyte hard drives would be needed to store one zettabyte of data