"Big Data" has become a buzzword in business, technology, and science taking over the hype from "Data Mining" and other similar terms about the use of information from huge databases. Big Data are thought of as various digital data by-products from electronic devices, social media, search engines, as well as sensors and tracking devices (including climate sensors and global positioning system). They are characterized by 3Vs: (high) volume, velocity, and variety.
This Policy Note provides basic information on Big Data and how they compare with traditional data sources of official statistics. Taking note of their limitations, the possible developmental uses in the Philippines of this nontraditional data source are explored, such as in disaster risk management. It also discusses privacy, analytics, and other issues that could lead to the misuse of big data.
