Data collection, use, and analysis have become increasingly important in today’s digital economy. This is because users are becoming more aware of their privacy and want to control who has access to their data. In this article, we explore how balancing privacy and utility in the age of big data can help advertisers at the crossroads between these two often competing interests.
Data privacy is a hot topic, but it’s not new. The idea that data could be used to profile and predict consumer behavior has existed since before the internet. Today, it’s not just consumers who are worried about their data being misused; companies are too. They must protect their customers from fraudsters and hackers looking for ways to steal identities or money from vulnerable targets like children or seniors who don’t use computers regularly (if at all).
Balancing between data utility & privacy
The purpose of big data is to provide more accurate and timely information about people’s behaviors and preferences to make better decisions. However, unless this information is used in a way that respects privacy rights, data becomes meaningless noise or, worse—an abuse of power by those with access to it.
In light of these concerns, it’s clear why we should strive for a balance between utility and privacy: if we do not take care in how we manage our personal information, then people will feel less comfortable sharing their information online—which would mean fewer opportunities for advertisers (or anyone else) who want access!
Privacy by design
In the United States, privacy by design is a principle of data protection that requires that the collection of personal data should be minimized, and only data necessary for the completion of a specific purpose should be collected. The European Union’s GDPR law also includes this concept as one of its core principles.
The idea behind this approach to privacy is that if you limit what information you collect about people, you do not need to protect it later. If your business doesn’t store any personally identifiable information (PII), there’s nothing for anyone else to steal or misuse.
Identity graph or function graph
In addition to the notion of a user graph, there is also the concept of an identity graph or an identity function graph. An identity graph is a graph that shows all the different identities that you have on the internet. It could be your Facebook, Twitter, and so on. An Identity function graph portrays all the functions you can perform on those identities.
This visualization could help advertisers, without using cookies, understand how people are accessing their ads across multiple platforms and devices (such as mobile phones). This way, they can better tailor their advertising campaigns to reach out most effectively and efficiently to consumers who are interacting with their brand online
New privacy-focused business-to-consumer data solutions (B2C)
New privacy-focused business-to-consumer data solutions (B2C) are on the horizon. Concerning B2C and the new data types that can be used in advertising, there are three categories of solutions:
Solutions for new data types, like biometrics, location information, and behavioral information from wearables.
Solutions for new sources of data, such as social media and mobile apps
Solutions for new uses of existing data and technologies, such as machine learning models or AI algorithms
Privacy vs. personalization in business-to-business data solutions (B2B)
Businesses want actionable insights from their data that they can take back to the office. In other words, they want to know what will happen if we implement an advertising campaign or change our pricing structure. Businesses want hard numbers on what they’re getting from their investment in data solutions like B2B data products (e.g., email marketing).
However, the emphasis has shifted from quantity over quality when it comes down to ensuring we’re hitting all our targets without compromising on our brand image or sacrificing customer loyalty in any way, shape, or form.
Conclusion
The future of data is about balancing utility with privacy. Businesses must embrace new solutions that enable them to use data responsibly while ensuring their customers are protected and empowered. Ultimately, consumers and businesses alike will benefit from a society where the right information is available at the right time in the right way, but only if we act now.
