Big Data Dilemma report

The 4th report from the Science & Technology Committee is now available to read here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmsctech/468/46802.htm

The Science & Technology Committee undertook the inquiry to follow up our predecessor’s report and to begin a programme of inquiries looking at the ‘great technologies’. We sought evidence on:

– The opportunities for big data, and the risks.

– Whether the Government has set out an appropriate and up-to-date path for the continued evolution of big data and the technologies required to support it.

– Where gaps persist in the skills needed to take advantage of the opportunities, and be protected from the risks, and how these gaps can be filled.

– How public understanding of the opportunities, implications and the skills required can be improved, and ‘informed consent’ secured.

Any further support needed from Government to facilitate R&D on big data, including to secure the required capital investment in big data research facilities and for their ongoing operation.

Some of our recommendations were:

– the government should examine how it can build capacity to deliver more datasets

– the Government should consider giving the Office for National Statistics greater access both to Government departments’ data and private sector data.

– the Government should introduce a criminal penalty for malicious data protection breaches.