In the film The Great Hack, big data is mentioned frequently as the collection of user data through platforms such as social media. Usually, this is done unknowingly to the user. Professor David Carroll was interested in the fact that big companies were able to obtain user data and share it amongst other companies. Companies such as Cambridge Analytica would take data from sites such as Facebook, and in turn generate marketing and advertising campaigns directed at users based on the data they obtained. Carroll wanted to expose companies such as Cambridge Analytica and wanted to obtain his data back. His campaign and movement inspired internet users to really be mindful and aware about the corruption of big companies on the internet who used unethical methods in order to shift beliefs of these users. It also raises awareness for the lack of privacy that users now have even in their own home. With controversy around government officials spying on users through their phones and computers, this campaign about big companies connected to politicians stealing data from users should be a big eye opener to many people about the severity of this issue.

This documentary has a lot of connections to the first article we read at the beginning of the semester. In the article, and in our discussion, we argued that the private self was dead as now even in our private lives, it was open to most of the world through social media platforms. This is related as it furthers the lack of privacy that users get through social media, as now their information and data are now shared to other companies or platforms that they did not even choose to use. Even if these users chose to stick with one platform or website, their data are now shared and linked with numerous other sites. Both the article and documentary share similar themes about this topic of privacy, however they describe the issue in different lights. Although “Death of the Private Self” describes the lack of privacy users get even in their own private homes now, this documentary instead focuses more on the consequences that can occur when big companies use data to fuel marketing campaigns that drive users to a specific belief. Although privacy is related to data being taken from users unknowingly, using this data for political reasons is bigger issue that seems far more corrupt and unlawful.