What is Big data?
Big data is a term used for certain [[Database|database systems]]. It is used for a number of [[Technology|technologies]] which help to organize, gather and analyse [[data]]. At least some of the following characteristics apply:<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-26|title=Big Data - Definition and 4 V's {{!}} Data Basecamp|url=https://databasecamp.de/en/data/big-data-basics|access-date=2022-07-15|language=en-US}}</ref> * There are huge amounts of data * The data changes very often * It is difficult to structure the data so that it can be used easily == Use == Big data is used to [[Analysis|analyse]] different subjects. Through the analysis, new [[information]] can be gained. Bigger amounts of data make it easier to find reliable information. It is used in many different areas, such as [[government]], [[health care]], [[insurance]], [[media]], [[Advertising|advertisement]] and [[information technology]]. == Origin == The data is gathered among other things through: * [[Surveillance]] * the use of [[Credit card|credit cards]] * Electronic Communication (for example [[E-mail]] and [[Smartphone|smartphones]]) * [[Internet]] and [[social media]] (for example from using [[Google Search|Google search]] or when visiting [[Facebook]]) * [[Internet of things]] (objects that can connect to the internet, for example [[Amazon Alexa]]) * governments and public authorities (for example [[tax]] data, [[census]] data) == Critique == Big data has been criticised for different reasons. One prominent criticism is the increasing surveillance to gather data, which takes place in many new forms. [[Edward Snowden]] has revealed how the American [[National Security Agency|National Security Agency (NSA)]] uses digital technology to [[Espionage|spy]] on people around the world. Another prominent criticisms is data [[privacy]], which is about the risk of sensitive personal data leaking because it is not protected well enough. A more fundamental critique of big data is just because it is bigger, it is not automatically better. The quality