Sander2020DataLiteracy-A

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Ina Sander, "What is critical big data literacy and how can it be implemented?"

Bibliographic info

Sander, I. (2020). What is critical big data literacy and how can it be implemented?. Internet Policy Review, 9(2), 1-22.

Commentary

⇒ In general, what about this text makes it particularly interesting or thought-provoking? What do you see as weaknesses?

In this paper, Sander discusses what it means to have big data literacy and how, with the help of this definition, we can foster such literacy. I think it is interesting that this topic is discussed here, since digital skills and data literacy are such hot topics in the news, politics etc. Developing a framework that describes what type of skills are actually needed to create this literacy is beneficial for policy making.

Sander argues for critical big data literacy, which goes beyond just having the skills to use data, where people need to be able to understand and critically reflect upon the use of their data and the potential risks. At the moment, there is some understanding of data practises but this is fragmented and limited. It is essential that internet users are informed over the potential dangers of big data, given the threats , amongst many others, on personal and groups freedom and inequalities.

Personally, one of the weaknesses of this paper is the reliance of individuals to protect their personal data themselves. Although the author stresses the main goal of data literacy is not too shift the responsibility for one's privacy to the individual users, the proposal implies that individuals could play a significant role in what happens to their data. I think the effectiveness of policies aimed to develop data literacy skills can be limited for two reasons. Firstly, there is a large share of the population, such as young children and elderly, that actively use the internet but are not able to learn skills such as critically assessing their data usage, since the level Sander envisions is quite high. Secondly, in the end individual users only have a limited amount of agency in big data practices, so even when substantial data literacy is present, there is still not a lot of control over personal data. In my opinion, protecting individuals with the help of legislation such as the GDPR could have a more substantial effect compared to aiming to develop data literacy amongst society. Furthermore, the focus on data literacy could create a big divide between those that have data literacy and those who, for some reason, have not. The author does not go over the potential implications of such a situation.

Excerpts & Key Quotes

⇒ For 3-5 key passages, include the following: a descriptive heading, the page number, the verbatim quote, and your brief commentary on this

###Why it is essential

This is essential to foster an informed citizenry in times of increasing profiling and social sorting of citizens and other profound economic, political and social implications of big data systems. These systems come with manifold risks, such as threatening individual privacy, increasing and transforming surveillance, fostering existing inequalities and reinforcing discrimination.

Comment:

I think the author highlights the importance of data literacy for individuals very well. Here, the term an informed citizenry is used to deal with the potential risk of big data. However, what does it actually mean to be informed? The next quote discusses this:

###What does it mean to have data literacy

Thus, I suggest that critical big data literacy in practice should mean an awareness, understanding and ability to critically reflect upon big data collection practices, data uses and the possible risks and implications that come with these practices, as well as the ability to implement this knowledge for a more empowered internet usage.

Comment:

I think the authors expects quite a high level of knowledge about data practises to be considered critical big data literacy. I think the most important aspect of this definition is the possible risks and implications that come with these practises. I think it could be argued it is a bit naive of the author to argue that a very big share of society either wants this level of literacy or is able to obtain this level of literacy. For the wellbeing of citizens in the digital world, I think it is the most important that the potential implications and risk of an action are known to a user. Here it is not per se important that the user understands the process that leads to the implication. The level that is suggested here is, I think, what is needed for policy makers of the government.

Aim of data literacy tools

The aim of critical big data literacy is not to affect internet users in a way that leaves them feeling negatively about all data collection and analysis or even resigned about such big data practices

Comment:

This aim of tools that develop critical big data literacy makes sense, of course you do not want to scare people away all together. However, in the rest of the paper, the author does not discuss how difficult it is to find this balance. In this ideas and suggestions for future tools section, the author suggests giving examples of shock value, such as data harm of real people and real life harm of big companies that use personal data. In these tools, the effect a program has is for a large share influenced by what the participant knows before and what not.

Important limitation

While this study’s method allowed for information-rich data on each participant’s attitudes, their internet usage and their perceptions of the three data literacy tools, this method did not allow for generalising claims, and some findings may be specific for the sample’s demographic.

Comment:

In my opinion, this is a substantial limitation of the methodology used by the author. With the presumption that there is a critical level of data literacy that people need to have, you imply it is important for every one to have it. However, currently, there is a very wide difference in society of the level of data literacy and perception of issues as privacy. When creating these type of tools, knowing the target group of the tool is very important. Although every one starts off at a different point, the assumption here is that every one at least has to get to some benchmark, how different groups get there can be wildly different and studying the effect of tools over different demographics could have provided valuable insights.