In the final paper, big data project, I made moves to improve my integration skills by finding elements of two different sources that said made similar points. For example, in the paragraph below in trying to make the point that big data has been argued to be a civil rights issue I was able to pick supporting quotes from two different sources (shown by the red text). Going further to be able to directly connect the two quotes instead of previously just using sources as separate pieces of evidence to back up a claim.
Ironically, it has been argued that those low on the pyramid of annual income are more vulnerable to having their privacy invaded. Current TechCongress fellow, Christopher Soghoian, who is a privacy researcher and activist made this argument in his TED talk, “Your Smartphone is a Civil Rights Issue”. The basis of Soghoian claim was that protection of data costs more money, which makes it unattainable for specific groups within the population. This results in a divide, the “digital security divide” (Soghoian, 2:41), between those who can and can’t afford security of data; “a gap between the privacy and security of the rich, who can afford devices that secure their data by default, and of the poor, whose devices do very little to protect them by default.” (Soghoian, 2:44). It is shocking that our data being secured by default is not a standard throughout devices, but even more staggering is that this security isn’t obtainable to those who cannot afford it. Similarly, the Future of Privacy Forum, which studies data privacy out of Washington, claimed that big data could possibly lead to “discrimination in employment, benefits, housing and education.”(Kennerly, 125). This statement from the Future of Privacy Forum connects to Soghoian claim that big data can lead to civil rights issues. Yet, as argued above big data also holds the bigger potential to close this inequality gap by stifling poverty. I am not arguing that privacy is not an issue when it comes to big data, rather that it is minute in comparison to the issue of quality of life of those living within poverty globally. Consider being given the choice between rising out of poverty, resulting in having better access to education, healthy foods, and healthcare, or protecting the intangible data we generate. Is it even up for debate what the choice would be?” (Sanborn, 5)
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