A Study on Wide-ranging Ethical Implications of Big Data Technology in a Digital Society: How Likely Are Data Accidents during COVID-19?

Abstract

Exponential growth in the commercial use of the internet has dramatically increased the volume and scope of data gathered and analyzed by datacentric business organizations. Big Data emerged as a term to summarize both the technical and commercial aspects of these growing data collection and analysis processes. Formerly, much discussion of Big Data was focused on its transformational potential for technological innovation and efficiency; however, less attention was given to its ethical implications beyond the generation of commercial value. In this paper, the authors investigate the wide-ranging ethical implications of Big Data technology in a digital society. They inform that strategies behind Big Data technology require organizational systems, or business ecosystems, that also leave them vulnerable to accidents associated with its commercial value and known as data accidents. These data accidents have distinct features and raise important concerns, including data privacy during COVID-19. The authors suggest successful risk mitigation strategies.