Big data, big problems? Frontier prepares literature review on consumer data for Which?

Big data, big problems? Frontier prepares literature review on consumer data for Which?

Which?, the largest UK consumer body, has today published a literature review by Frontier on the costs and benefits associated with the use of consumer data. Our review informed Which?’s latest consumer data report “Control, Alt or Delete – the future of Consumer data” which was launched in London today.

Individual consumer data – information collected from and about consumers – is used for a wide range of commercial activities. The review focuses on the implications of big data and privacy regulation on the competition between firms and is split into four areas:

  • Competition in consumer data–intensive markets
  • Concerns raised by data brokers
  • Privacy behaviour
  • Regulation of smart meters and connected devices.

Our review highlights that enhancing competition and privacy do not always go hand in hand. It is important to bear in mind the feedback effects that regulation can have on competition. These will depend, among other factors, on whether regulation makes it easier to switch across providers and whether it imposes costs that weigh disproportionately on smaller and newer companies.

Sarah Snelson, Associate Director in Frontier’s Public Policy team, attended the launch event at Which’s London office today, where the report was debated by a panel of experts drawn from across the industry, including journalists, academics and representatives from corporations such as Facebook.

Frontier regularly advises clients on issues concerning technology and innovation policy.

For more information please contact media@frontier-economics.com, or call +44 (0)20 7031 7000