Governance of Big Data and Legal Aspects

Subject

The term “Big Data” is used to describe the significant advances, opportunities, and risks in the field of data science. Despite its ubiquity in relevant technical and policy documents, the term lacks a precise definition. Introduced in the 90s, the phrase was originally coined to describe the growing volume of data, presenting both new perspectives and the need for adequate processing.

Definitions of Big Data vary widely. Many scholars point to the “three Vs” (volume, velocity, and variety) as key elements to define the concept, while others also include technical aspects such as analysis and decision-making. Analytical capabilities are a crucial element of the phenomenon, prompting their almost mandatory inclusion in definitions.

The main challenges in the use of Big Data today are related to legal aspects, public acceptance of organizations that use them and the management of access and sharing of information. Recent research has highlighted how the abuse of data and the lack of trust in technologies and analysis methodologies are among the most significant risks.

Improving the understanding of the opinions, feelings and concerns of different sectors of society on Big Data is crucial to develop appropriate governance policies, especially considering the implications in the security and defense sectors.

Regulating Big Data in the public and private sectors therefore goes beyond traditional legal instruments, requiring a combination of technical, legal and semantic approaches. Technology and law are therefore facing new and complex challenges that require adequate analysis and discussion.

Learning outcomes

In this context, the research has laid the foundations to stimulate an in-depth discussion on crucial issues such as governance, law, ethics and computer science, exploring the complex relationship between technology and law. In particular, it has devoted itself to examining several questions:

In detail, the fields explored were:

• new digital terminologies and concepts, together with national and international legal frameworks, seeking to harmonise them and ensure interoperability across jurisdictions and legal cultures.
• digital pluralism and the different technical cultures present in the various states.
• the dynamism of technological and legal change, and the related public and collective interests.
• security technologies, citizens' rights and the delicate balance between individual and collective needs.
• the alignment of technological, civil and legal knowledge, and the oversight of knowledge in relation to security, data protection and privacy protection needs.
• designing new security technologies and implementing ethical and legal protocols.
• the promotion of a global, digital and legal culture, with the aim of creating a general framework for the relationship between man and machine.