This Week in Data – February 14

This Week in Data – February 14:

Each week, we compile the best stories in data. Get up to speed on this week in data, without having to search for it.

 

US Air Force starts experimenting with blockchain data sharing

The United States Air Force has been doing some cool things with data, and this is next on the list. The branch of the armed services is using blockchain tech to help share documents securely. The blockchain would restrict who is allowed to see the documents and when – pretty cool stuff, and nice that it’s a real-world application rather than just another cryptocurrency.

THE TAKEAWAY:

““We’re trying to allow a blockchain-backed security to power an entire application, which you really can’t do today unless the app is really trivial or it’s a cryptocurrency,” Platz said. “Anyone using blockchain in the enterprise is building a traditional application and then some part of that is hooking into Ethereum or some blockchain platform like that.””

 

What role does consumer data play in the economy?

Ooh, we have thoughts on this. Specifically: our Co-Founder and CEO Danny Gilligan does. Danny spoke about this topic at Pause Fest last week, and we definitely think his comments are worth a listen.

Sorry (not sorry) for the horn tooting.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Cross border data sharing doesn’t happen because it’s too hard – the regulatory support doesn’t exist for it…there is an unlimited number of use cases…for the data economy.”

 

Gene data needs a code of conduct

There’s a massive project being conducted among international scientists to track genes that cause cancer. Cool, right? Yes. However, there’s a problem: the project involves a bunch of medical data, and Nature has some concerns. Specifically, it points out, there aren’t really any checks about what data gets accessed, by whom, and when. And it recommends an easy fix…

This is yet another example of how the medical field is wrestling with issues over data. Seems like it’s a trend, lately…

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Genomics researchers urgently need clear data-sharing rules that are harmonized across jurisdictions. An international code of conduct could help investigators to overcome some of the current hurdles, as well as others that might arise as legislation on data protection evolves.”

 

Health firms band together against Apple

Poor Apple. Epic and a number of health groups in the United States have protested a new rule (supported by Apple) that would help patients easily access their own medical information. Sounds great, right? According to these groups, the rule will actually endanger patient privacy. With Apple pushing more and more into health services, this is gearing up to be a big fight.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Epic’s entreaty recommends tweaks to the proposal including additional information on the handling of health information related to family members, as well as a longer timeline for integration. The health records company wants at least 12 months to prepare and 36 months for “development of new technology required by the rule,” the report said.”

 

Singapore and the US are data friends now

Buddies! The new countries have come up with an agreement on financial data sharing, that will allow providers to transmit certain types of data freely. There are a bunch of different agreements, but among them is one important issue: acknowledgement that data mobility can enhance economic growth. That seems like a pretty big statement! 

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Data mobility in financial services supports economic growth and the development of innovative financial services and benefits risk management and compliance programs, including by making it easier to detect cross-border money laundering and terrorist financing patterns, defend against cyberattacks, and manage and assess risk on a global basis.”

 

Britain to transform transport with an £8 million data sharing plan

Brexit ain’t slowing them down yet. A new National Data Exchange is being established – called ConVEx – to help accelerate the use of mobility products. That includes self-driving cars. We like. Essentially, the plan helps member organizations develop new products with access to data they wouldn’t otherwise get, which includes monetizing the data itself. We also like. 

This is yet another transport-related data project taking off after similar ones in the United States have gained traction, particularly in Los Angeles.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Services will include the curation of vast datasets within in a single ‘shop window’; data cleansing and analysis; and enabling organisations to monetise their data resources that may previously have been left dormant.”

 

 

That’s our wrap for this week. Thanks for reading – we hope you found it entertaining and informative. We’d love to hear your thoughts on these articles and anything else data related!

Email us anytime at enquiries@datarepublic.com.

Until next week,

Team Data Republic

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