Why Big Data Get a Bad Rap in Government

[Commentary] Emerging technologies like big data are polarizing. Ten years ago, few organizations outside of the National Security Agency undertook true efforts in big data. Of course, the potential to abuse technologies that allow for the collection, amalgamation and analysis of otherwise unlinkable data sets is precisely the fear a growing number of people have. But hold the phone. The opportunities for exploitation may make sexier headlines, but big data is doing a whole lot of good behind the scenes. It’s not all fire and brimstone, surveillance and mass-spying.