Corporate Big Data Collection Improves Your Life

Over the last several years, many Americans have taken issue with various forms of surveillance and the gathering of personal data. Both the government and some large companies consistently collect data from the population without their consent. Contained within “PROPOSITION: Corporate Data Collection Poses a Threat to Personal Freedom”, J.D Tuccille, a contributing editor for Reason.com, and Declan McCullagh, a writer based in Silicon Valley who is also an entrepreneur, argue over the benefits and consequences of this practice.

The two authors offer varying opinions on how corporate data collection should be dealt with.

In his piece titled “Big Corporations Want Your Data. Don’t Give It to Them.”, J.D Tuccille warns the reader of rampant corporate data collection. He goes on to say that companies that collect personal data, such as Equifax, have been unable to adequately protect the information they collect. Tuccille also calls for legal penalties for companies that cannot protect such data, yet warns that too much regulation could harm smaller companies.

Despite him recognizing that consumers can’t fully prevent the collection of their data, Tuccille suggests that they can often time take measures to curb it.

Declan McCullagh’s’ opinion starkly contrasts with that of J.D Tuccilles. In his piece titled “Corporate Collection of Big Data Makes Your Life Better”, McCullagh states that corporate data collection can oftentimes benefit the consumer. He goes on to mention that data collection helps machines, such as personal assistants, provide a more individualized experience for their users.

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Furthermore, he suggests that companies that collect personal data should receive more legal protection. McCullagh also recognizes the danger of government surveillance, as he calls for the limitation of their abilities. However, he also calls for more protection for tech companies that collect the data of their consumers.

Even though Declan McCullagh and J.D Tuccille hold different points of view regarding different forms of surveillance and data collection, McCullagh’s argument is more sound. Throughout his piece, J.D Tuccille presents several examples that are full of fallacies. Tuccille also provides examples that he fails to back with evidence. Later in his piece, Tuccille also contradicts earlier statements and suggestions. On the other hand, McCullagh consistently provides examples and robust arguments for his point of view. Overall, these reasons make McCullagh’s argument stronger when compared to that of Tuccilles.

Several large data breaches have brought government and corporate data collection into the spotlight. J.D Tuccille describes such breaches early in his essay. In the following paragraphs, however, Tuccille suggests that such data collection can’t be controlled and that it’s hard to keep locked down in modern society. He states “But data doesn’t exist in a discrete, physical form. It’s knowledge, and knowledge can be effortlessly replicated and distributed—including in people’s minds. How would we control that?” (Tuccille 1). Later on in his essay, Tuccille contradicts this statement when he suggests that companies that fail to protect the data they collect should be punished, thus providing the means to control data collection. He states “Anybody who sees enough value in gathering such information that they build a business model around it should be expected to take measures to keep it safe. If they don’t, they should be prepared to pay the price” (Tuccille 2). Such a contradiction makes Tuccille’s argument inconclusive, as it makes it difficult to know his exact suggested course of action.

Throughout Declan McCullagh’s piece, he provides several courses of action for problematic forms of data collection without any contradictions. Although his opinion varies from that of Tuccilles, as he is for corporate data collection when it is used to benefit the consumer, he provides consistent suggestions on the issue of secretive government surveillance. He says “The more sensible approach is to curb government surveillance. That means taking steps such as updating the Privacy Act of 1974 to limit government access to outsourced databases; increasing the authority of inspectors general at federal agencies to monitor abuses” (McCullagh 3). Unlike J.D Tuccille, McCullagh takes a hard stance on both government and corporate data collection and can cement his views on both topics.

J.D Tuccille’s essay also has inconsistencies and breaks in his arguments. Although he succeeds in providing examples of several large data breaches, such as the Equifax and Cambridge Analytica breaches, Tuccille fails to provide sufficient evidence of the effect of existing regulations within the European Union on smaller companies. He states “ Compliance has proven challenging, especially for small businesses, which have struggled to navigate the law’s bureaucratic complexities far more than tech behemoths like Facebook and Google” (Tuccille 2). Tuccille does not mention how, or what companies have been affected by said regulations.

Declan McCullagh, however, consistently backs his arguments with examples. When speaking about past data breaches and failure to follow regulations, McCullagh stated “An example from 2005: Sony BMG failed to disclose that its CD copy protection contained a so-called rootkit, which introduced vulnerabilities and leaked user data. It was a braindead corporate decision, made worse by management’s initial response, which ended with Sony writing settlement checks for up to $50 million” (McCullagh 3). With his use of examples, McCullagh proves that large companies also struggle with current regulations. This strays away from Tuccilles’s argument that large companies do not face problems with current regulations, which was absent of any actual example. McCullagh’s consistent use of examples to back key arguments bolsters his essay as a whole.

Declan McCullagh and J.D Tuccille both provide different viewpoints in regards to the current government and corporate data collection practices. Throughout Tuccille’s essay, he fails to remain consistent in his arguments and does not provide sufficient examples. In conclusion, Declan McCullagh’s argument is stronger than that of J.D Tuccilles, as he was able to provide several examples that boost his argument. In addition, McCullagh does not contradict any of his arguments in his essay, yet Tuccille contradicted a key argument in his.