Business, Government to Collect More Data, Raising Privacy Concerns, in 2007

Look for both business and government to collect more personal data in 2007 – and for people to continue to worry about their privacy as a result – says Dr. Michael Hardin, professor of statistics and director of the Business Intelligence Center at The University of Alabama.

And for math whizzes, the trend will likely mean job opportunities as employers rely increasingly on analytics and computer skills to manage data.

Hardin says new applications of mathematics/statistics and computer science to the enormous amounts of data now residing in corporate databases are becoming the critical edge in competitive, volatile, international markets. Businesses from Major League Baseball to banks to home improvement stores to casinos are using sophisticated new mathematical/statistical and computer techniques to help organizations better understand their customers and help executives make smarter business decisions.

“Clearly no one will be collecting less data, either in business or in government,” Hardin says. “As computer storage capacity and speed continually increases, even more data will be collected and there will be even greater demands to effectively utilize these investments. In 2007, I look for business to rely even more on analytics and an increased demand from employers for all types of individuals with good math or quantitative skills. With all this personal data in the hands of business and government, people will worry about their privacy.

“When you order that extra cheese and meat lovers pizza, will the computer voice on the other of the cell phone remind you of your family history of heart disease and last high cholesterol test, and suggest the vegetarian, low-fat tofu pizza on the whole wheat crust instead? Probably not,” Hardin says. “Before we reach this point, I think citizens will demand laws to protect against such intrusions.”