Ethics

Big data as a tool for detecting (and punishing?) bullies

A group of researchers has developed a machine learning model that can detect tweets relating to bullying, and even identify bullies, victims and witnesses. Next, it wants to add sentiment analysis to determine individuals’ emotional states. But if they see trouble, how do they intervene?

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Can Facebook teach us how to be nice again?

Facebook is working on new, more-personal methods for letting users alert members of their social networks to content they find offensive or potentially embarrassing. It’s a good start in the quest to make social media — and perhaps the people who use them — more civil.

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How big data might mean better business for big banks

By becoming an underwriter for some of the world’s largest banks and credit card companies, ZestFinance might actually be able to achieve its goal of using big data to supply the underbanked with needed credit. It’s not altruism by any means, but here’s how it works.

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For ZestFinance, big data comes with big responsibility

ZestCash, the startup co-founded by former Google CIO and VP of Engineering Douglas Merrill to provide short-term loans to the underserved, has changed its name to ZestFinance and its business model, as well. Now essentially an underwriting service for lenders, can ZestFinance remain ethical?

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Drawing an ethical line in the big data sand

However it’s defined, the concept of big data ultimately boils down to money. But I think there’s a line we shouldn’t cross when it comes to using analytics to squeeze every last dollar out of an operation. It’s between things we want and things we need.

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