"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness...."
That's how Charles Dickens starts his epic novel A Tale of Two Cities.
And it seems to be the ideal way to start this article. Because tech giants Apple and Google both made big pushes this week about Big Data and privacy. One said it's the best of times. The other, that it will be the worst of times if we are not careful.
Google's easier data privacy controls
Have you noticed the new button on your Google search page that appeared on Wednesday, October 24, 2018? Here it is:
It takes you to a friendly looking page with Google colors and an upbeat video, with new Google controls for you to delete your search history from Google's database and your device.
The message is clear: You are in control of your data, but before you limit it, watch our video. Your data makes your search so much better!
It is the best of times when it comes to data, remember? That's the feeling you'll get in 90 seconds:
Apple: seemingly innocent data we give companies is being used against us
On the same day Google rolled out its upbeat message on Big Data and privacy, Apple CEO Tim Cook sounded the alarm on big data dangers while speaking at a privacy conference in the EU.
"Our own information is being weaponized against us with military efficiency," warns Cook in our complete coverage on his appearance.
"Every day billions of dollars change hands and countless decisions are made on the basis of our likes and dislikes, our friends and families, our relationships and conversations, our wishes and fears, our hopes and dreams. These scraps of data, each one harmless enough on its own, are carefully assembled, synthesized, traded and sold."
Watch his 20-minute keynote here. There are no upbeat Google colors in this one:
During his talk, he said Apple absolutely supports a national privacy policy in the United States to protect ourselves from the way companies are using our own data against us.
So there you have it.
When it comes to Big Data and privacy, Dickens was right.
As he said, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness...."
Which season we're in depends on whom you ask.
