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Privacy and Big Data: The Players, Regulators, and Stakeholders--New from O'Reilly Media

Press release: September 20, 2011

Privacy and Big Data

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"If you want to keep something
private, keep it off the net."
—Terence Craig

Sebastopol, CA—Much of what constitutes Big Data is information about us. Through our online activities, we leave an easy-to-follow trail of digital footprints that reveal who we are, what we buy, where we go, and much more. This eye-opening book explores the raging privacy debate over the use of personal data, with one undeniable conclusion: once data's been collected, we have absolutely no control over who uses it or how it is used.

"The days of Internet anonymity are over," says Mary Ludloff, who shares her Twitter handle (@bigdatapbi) with coauthor Terence Craig for reasons that become increasingly obvious the more you read Privacy and Big Data (O'Reilly Media, $19.99 USD).

"Wherever you go, whatever you do, anywhere in this world, some device is tracking and collecting information about you," Ludloff continues. "Our personal information is now a multi-billion dollar business."

Personal data is the hottest commodity on the market today—truly more valuable than gold. We are the asset that every company, industry, non-profit, and government wants. Privacy and Big Data introduces you to the players in the personal data game, and explains the stark differences in how the U.S., Europe, and the rest of the world approach the privacy issue.

You'll learn about:

  • Collectors: social networking titans that collect, share, and sell user data
  • Users: marketing organizations, government agencies, and many others
  • Data markets: companies that aggregate and sell datasets to anyone
  • Regulators: governments with one policy for commercial data use, and another for providing security

Craig adds, "Just like pirated movies, your private information is part of a worldwide shadow economy worth billions of dollars. The Internet is like Vegas: what you do there stays there—forever. If you want to keep something private, keep it off the net."

For a review copy or more information please email gretchen@oreilly.com. Please include your delivery address and contact information.

About the Authors

Terence Craig is the CEO and CTO of PatternBuilders, a "big data" analytics services and solution provider that helps organizations across industries understand and improve their operations with advanced analytics. With over 20 years of experience in executive and technical management roles with leading-edge technology companies, Terence brings a unique and innovative view of what is needed—from both an operational and technology perspective—to build a world class hosted analytics platform designed to improve companies' and organizations' profitability and efficiencies.

View Terence Craig's full profile page.

Mary Ludloff is Vice President of Marketing for PatternBuilders. Mary is an innovative marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in enterprise software. She brings an in-depth understanding of how to develop and implement strategic program initiatives that span marketing disciplines—ranging from the traditional corporate and marketing fields to the latest developments in digital marketing..

View Mary E. Ludloff's full profile page.

Additional Resources
For more information about the book, including table of contents, author bios, and cover graphic, see: http://oreilly.com/catalog/0636920020103

Privacy and Big Data Privacy and Big Data
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
By Terence Craig, Mary E. Ludloff
Print ISBN: 9781449305000   Ebook ISBN: 9781449304997  
Pages: 106 (est.)
Print Price: $19.99   Ebook Price: $16.99  
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000

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