<#329 Desk Column>
 
SNS for Big Data?
 
By Pyun Ja-seong, Head Student Editor
 
In the current digital era, a lot of people regard smart devices including phones and tablets as a necessary appendage. Also, every smart device owner seems to be glued to a small screen of their device while waiting for someone on the bus, at home, or even while walking. Some people even confess, "I feel anxious and nervous if I cannot use my mobile phone whenever I want." In addition to mobile phone addiction, many people are likely addicted to cyber activities on popular websites called 'Social Network Service' such as Facebook, Twitter, and Kakao Talk. Those activities leave digital traces of their lives on the internet by writing posts and uploading pictures of themselves.
Like others, I also have a SNS account and my daily records are floated on the site. It is quite good to share about my day with friends including those who are physically far from me. But, after the report of Facebook offering their information to the government by Edward Joseph Snowden who exposed the mass surveillance of the American government, I just realized the collected data generated by people themselves on cyber space and SNS traces can be turned into 'Big Data' which can threaten people's lives. If this data is used for a good purpose, for example, a company using clients’ data for service improvement, it would be good reference material. However, if the government uses the data for their political end, it can become 'Big Brother' which is a big threat to people, or what if companies offer the data to any secret agency?
In the movie ”The Minority Report” directed by Steven Spielberg, the pre-crime police force insists that the monitored data is only used for protecting people from future crimes that will happen. But, the data eventually invades privacy and risks innocent people's lives. Even a small bit of information can be used for a good or bad purpose, so people should think carefully about leaving their traces in cyber space. Protecting your personal information protects your privacy and your life.
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