Exploratory Strategic Roadmapping Framework for Big Data Privacy Issues

The applications of Big Data continue to expand, due to the many possibilities and unprecedented insights it offers to people, organizations, and communities. However, Big Data poses serious challenges as well, including challenges to the privacy and security of individuals and their data. This paper considers how to best address one concern related to Big Data: the social problems that the pervasiveness of data collection, analysis, and storage create with regard to individuals' ability to control their own data. The paper uses Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Technology Roadmapping analysis methods to assess the social problems, technologies, resources, and industries that are most relevant to data privacy, and what should be done to address it. The findings indicated that the healthcare industry is one of the most important industries to consider concerning data privacy because of the nature of the data generated through medical processes and technologies. Furthermore, it was found that enforcement mechanisms, specifically in the form of federal enforcement agencies, are the most effective approach to ensure compliance by actors. It was also realized that there are extenuating political circumstances and increased costs that make the implementation of those policies challenging in the United States.