This Week in Data – January 31:

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

Facebook now lets you erase your data

Two years after making the promise, Facebook now lets you control what data you share with third party apps. The catch? (Of course, there’s always a catch.) The setting still allows Facebook to collect data from third parties, but they won’t be associated with your account. Plus, you need to go to those sources directly to delete your data. But it’s something.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“If you choose to delete all the shared data and prohibit those third parties from providing Facebook with info tied to your account, you’ll still see ads on the platform, but they’ll be less relevant to your interests—and, correspondingly, much less creepy. 

Your customers care about privacy. Do you?

That’s an aggressive question. Don’t blame us, though. The Harvard Business Review published an article looking at a specific group of people: those who are more likely to act to protect their privacy than just let companies do whatever they want. The short of it? You should be going to your customers directly to ask what they think about privacy, and what protections they want.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Simplify and shorten your privacy policies so people can access, read, and understand them quickly — in no more than two minutes.”

The startup minefield of data

If you’re a new business, then you need to watch where you step. As the Business Times points out, so many businesses now rely on gaining data from consumers. If you actually had to reveal how much that information is worth… would your startup still be worthwhile? This piece is full of examples of how data within startups is being used as competition – and for some, the end of the road.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Public companies in the US that mishandled data saw an average stock price fall of 5 per cent immediately after disclosing the data breach, while 31% of consumers axed their relationship with the company to move towards more trusted organisations, according to a 2017 Ponemon Institute study.”

Amazon’s Ring in a world of trouble

Eek, not good. The Electronic Frontier Foundation says Amazon’s Ring camera is sending huge amounts of data through its companion Android app. Among the recipients? One of Facebook’s APIs. The worst part is that this data is being sent without consent. Not great.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Also last year, a couple’s Ring doorbell was hacked and the perpetrator demanded 50 Bitcoins (worth ~$400,000) as a ransom – issuing a death threat if they did not comply. A report from Motherboard found software available for as little as $6 to compromise Ring doorbells.”

The future of data in airports is bright

If you want to keep an eye on one of the most interesting areas being used for data exploration, aviation is high on the list. Airports Council International has just released a new handbook for how airports should use data, and it contains some awesome recommendations. Short version: you might find it easier than ever to make your way to a flight in the future.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Availability of real-time data and the digital transformation of processes and operations will enable airports to actively tackle capacity challenges, as this vast volume of information can be used effectively to increase productivity…”

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!

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