Each week we compile the best stories in data, so you don’t have to search for them. Subscribe to Data Republic to stay in the loop.
Google accused of tricking EU users
Those tricky tricksters! A collection of consumer groups in the European Union say Google tricked users into sharing their location information. Not the greatest timing considering Google has been accused of similar things all year. Google denies this, of course, but the groups cite the GDPR as a trigger here. Yet another sign this type of data collection is under close scrutiny worldwide.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“Google’s deceptive practices are in breach of the spirit and the letter of this regulation. We need strong, coherent, enforcement of the rules. We can’t have companies pretending to comply but de facto circumventing the law.”
Don’t worry, 2019 will be much easier for data laws
Speaking of GDPR, data laws and…you know, following them. Down in Australia, a new report has been released which says 2019 will be much easier for companies to comply with data laws. Unlike this year, which has been filled with updated privacy policies, confusion and a lot of breaches.
The report says new laws like GDPR, California’s data privacy law and Australia’s data consumer right will make a big difference.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“Many businesses are still struggling to understand or act upon their terms of engagement when it comes to cybersecurity, with a recent HP Australia study finding that many were conflicted between the need to meet security obligations and the desire to leverage customers’ data to improve customer service and profitability.”
Consumers don’t like sharing data? That’s a lie.
It just depends on how they share it. According to a new report from Accenture, (which asked customers from 33 different countries), more than half are happy to share their information. But that comes with caveats: they want something in return, and companies that collect it need to emphasise personalization, anonymity and security in return.
THE TAKEAWAY:
Consumers are comfortable when they have complete visibility into what is being collected and when they understand who is using it and how, and that it is protected and anonymized.
Facebook comes under fire at UK parliament
Is there a social network that’s had a worse year than Facebook? Now the company has come under fire in the UK parliament due to Mark Zuckerberg just not showing up. Uh…yeah, not great. Coincidentally, that’s exactly what the company’s vice president of policy solutions told the international committee questioning him.
Not great.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“A seat was left vacant beside Allan with a card reading Zuckerberg’s name, highlighting the lawmakers’ visible frustration with the company for not sending its boss.”
Data-sharing deal between the UK and USA in doubt
Speaking of the UK, a new deal that would let UK companies access data from American firms has come under scrutiny. Human rights bodies have written to the US Justice Department, arguing that the deal would allow the UK to obtain information on citizens without a warrant – like instant messages or other digital communications.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“If a British person under suspicion had been communicating with Americans, then the British law enforcement agency could also seize those communications.”
Australia should raid other industries to create data protections
Well, not literally. But the head of the country’s open banking review says if the country is going to make any progress in convincing consumers that a data-led economy has value, protections from other industries should be baked in. Taking some ideas from how the financial systems has built trust over time…might not be a bad idea, he says.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“In creating a data economy, we won’t know everything that could happen because so much seems new. If you consider things that work for money-based systems, you know at least they’ve been tested, and how they deal with risks when they arise.”
That’s our wrap for this week. Thanks for reading – we hope you found it entertaining and informational. 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