Recently, the news has focused on the revelation of Cambridge Analytica harvesting data from millions of Facebook users for psychographic political purposes. People were and still are outraged by this incident, and are expressing their anger by deleting their Facebook accounts.

Even after all of this, society continues to willingly supply personal information to other social media accounts, businesses, schools, health organizations, and more without spending a lot of time thinking about how that information might be used.

The focus of this column is not to make a Luddite indictment against big data, but to make the argument that we should spend a little more time thinking about the ways that we share our data and how it is used.

To start, look for the recently published topic “Big Data” in the library’s subscription database Opposing Viewpoints to get an overview and balanced perspective on the possible benefits and negative consequences of big data.

A report in early February entitled, “Privacy and the Internet,” in the library database CQ Researcher also provides an overview and perspective on the topic, as well as a list of suggested books, articles, and reputable web sites for further exploration.

One of the books suggested in the CQ Researcher report is Bruce Schneier’s “Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battle to Collect Your Data and Control,” available for checkout from the Madison College Libraries. The book suggests that we should think about and shake up surveillance-based government and business models, while also providing practical digital privacy tips.

Two other recently-published books available in the Madison College Libraries examine the effects of big data on a bigger societal level.

“Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor,” by Virginia Eubanks, investigates the impacts of big data on how it affects the poor and working-class people. “Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality,” by Cathy O’Neil, illustrates how big data defines students, rejects resumes, denies loans, evaluates workers, targets voters, sets parole, shares our health records, and more.

The library’s streaming video databases Films on Demand and Kanopy offer several good documentaries and educational videos on the topic as well. In particular, watch “Everything’s Under Control: Surveillance, Privacy, and Security in a Digital World,” available through Kanopy.

For tips on digital privacy and better managing your information, check out the library’s research guide Online Security at https://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/onlinesecurity.