Cambridge Analytica scandal one year on – the key takeaways 

A year on from this scandal and we are beginning to see data privacy regulations such as the EU’s GDPR and California’s CCPA rolled out across a variety of countries. These regulations are set to change how companies build data and AI applications and services – and for the better.
digital

Cambridge Analytica was not a data ‘breach’ – it was ‘bulk data sharing’. Whilst this may seem like a big statement to make, we now know that this came down to a lack of disclosure. Contributor Ben Lorica, Chief Data Scientist – O’Reilly Media.

Not only was user data made available through a programme for Facebook developers, copies of the data were stored in the hands of programme participants. Enter – Cambridge Analytica’s easy access to large volumes of data users weren’t even aware they’d given away.

A year on from this scandal and we are beginning to see data privacy regulations such as the EU’s GDPR and California’s CCPA rolled out across a variety of countries. These regulations are set to change how companies build data and AI applications and services – and for the better.

Not only this, but we’re seeing changes in users’ attitudes towards their data. Awareness is now higher among a growing number of users and an increasing number of them are calling for better transparency over what data is being collected and for greater control over how their data is used and shared. It’s not just users fearful of falling victim to an affair like this who are beginning to change their attitude towards data sharing, but companies too.

More and more companies are signalling that they take data privacy and the concerns of their users and regulators seriously. The stance companies take on data privacy and data monetisation is becoming a competitive angle for some small and large firms. Apple is a great example of a company raising the bar on data privacy and collection, with more companies beginning to follow suit.

With the volume of data available only set to rocket and opportunities to build more data products increasing, users and regulators need to be more aware as we move forward.

“If companies continue to depend on the same business models, data collection will continue and with that – the potential for misuse. We must take data privacy more seriously – and tools like machine learning and AI can help to do this. AI can help existing security teams to be more efficient, and effective, with more AI tools beginning to appear in the cybersecurity space. It’s time for companies to develop strategies that put privacy first”.

Read more

Latest News

Read More

Navigating technostress: Realising AI’s potential without burning out employees

1 November 2024

Newsletter

Receive the latest HR news and strategic content

Please note, as per the GDPR Legislation, we need to ensure you are ‘Opted In’ to receive updates from ‘theHRDIRECTOR’. We will NEVER sell, rent, share or give away your data to third parties. We only use it to send information about our products and updates within the HR space To see our Privacy Policy – click here

Latest HR Jobs

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an HR professional to take on the role of HR Director UK & EMEA This is a pivotal role

As Director of HR, you’ll have an exciting opportunity to bring your HR expertise to support a US business expanding in the UK business and

We’re seeking an experienced HR Director to support and add value to the current environment, you will have a chance to improve existing processes and

We are seeking a highly experienced global HR Director to join our international charity client for a period of 12 months. You will be reporting

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE