The Big Data Paradigm
Centralized Data Exposed I n an age where data has become the new currency, I must express a profound concern over the prevailing trend of consolidating vast amounts of sensitive information into centralized hubs. While the allure of "big data" promises unprecedented insights and efficiencies, it also ushers in dangers to society and individual privacy that cannot be overlooked. The year 2024 has witnessed an alarming surge in data breaches, surpassing any we have seen before. Major corporations entrusted with the personal information of millions have fallen victim to cyberattacks, exposing vulnerabilities inherent in the centralized data model. According to reports up until 2023, there was already a 68% increase in data compromises compared to the previous year, with over 1,862 breaches exposing nearly 294 million individuals' data *(1) . This trend has only intensified in 2024, underscoring the risks of housing enormous data sets under one roof. Many of these