Today, digital data are captured through a variety of devices that have the ability to
monitor the minutiae of an individual’s everyday life. These data are often processed by
algorithms, which support (or drive) decisions (termed ‘algorithmic decision-making’ in
this article). While the strategic value of these data (and subsequent analysis) for businesses
is unquestionable, the implications for individuals and wider society are less clear.
Therefore, in this Viewpoint article we aim to shed light on the tension between businesses
– that increasingly profile customers and personalize products and services – and
individuals, who, as McAfee and Brynjolfsson (2012, p. 5) suggest, are ‘walking data
generators’ but are often unaware of how the data they produce are being used, and by
whom and with what consequences. Issues associated with privacy, control and
dependence arise, suggesting that social and ethical concerns related to the way business
is strategically exploiting digitized technologies that increasingly support our everyday
activities should be brought to the fore and thoughtfully discussed. In this article we aim
to lay a foundation for this discussion in the IS community and beyond.