Perestroika In The Land Of Big Data

The debate over how, and even whether companies can collect and mine consumer data on individuals has taken another turn. Acxiom, the Little Rock based technology company has launched a new web site that allows individuals to view some of the data that has been collected about them, where it came from and edit it if incorrect. AboutThedata.com is meant to demonstrate the spirit of "openness" currently lacking in the data collection industry, according to Acxiom CEO Scott Howe. Critics assert that this is not entirely borne of altruism, but rather an attempt to get out front of the coming changes in data privacy regulation. Julie Brill of the Federal Trade Commission points out the current limitations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act with regard to what data brokers can and cannot do. She has conceived an idea dubbed Reclaim Your Name, a program that would allow the data industry to provide consumers with the knowledge and tools to determine how much and if they want their data collected. Industry adoption would not require government mandate. Mr. Howe of Acxiom asserts that AboutThedata.com is a work in progress platform that will serve all interests as consumers give feedback.