Future of 'Big Data' in agriculture uncertain
Recently, it was suggested that perhaps the questions involving big data should be categorized as collecting the data, sharing or transferring the data, and using the data. The general question appears to be who can do what with respect to agriculture’s big data. Who can collect the data, who can transfer the data (and to whom), and who can use the data?
Various concerns have been suggested as to why big data needs to be controlled. One concern is that those with access to the data and information can have an advantage in the market over those who do not have such information.
University professors are suggesting that federal laws (trademark, patent and copyright laws, for example) do not fully address the questions arising from the emergence of agricultural big data. They suggest that perhaps state trade secret laws could be applied. They also emphasize that property owners enter into agreements and contracts with others before the information is shared by its owners.
Another recent suggestion has been that state law (or perhaps federal law) be enacted limiting how often imagery data can be collected, shared and used.
Concerns have been expressed that the trend for the past several decades is less information available to the public, including producers. To counter that trend, there have been efforts to maintain transparency in the agricultural commodities sectors.
source: potatogrower.com
