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Big Data collected is anonymised, protected by law

I refer to Mr Danny Tan’s letter “Yes to Big Data, but let’s watch out for Big Brother” (April 17).

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Tan Kok Yam, head, Smart Nation Programme Office

I refer to Mr Danny Tan’s letter “Yes to Big Data, but let’s watch out for Big Brother” (April 17).

Technology advancements and increasing connectivity mean that private organisations and Government service agencies will increasingly collect and use large quantities of data in their normal course of business. For example, our public agencies use data analytics to improve policy planning, service delivery and resource allocation.

To safeguard private data, individual identities are obscured by making the information anonymous and aggregating them. Insights are gleaned from observing collective group behaviour and not individual ones. These insights help the Government better anticipate and respond to events and trends, such as the occurrence of dengue hot spots and the planning of bus routes.

Regulations and guidelines, such as the Personal Data Protection Act and similar rules within the public sector, are in place to govern the management of personal data, both for public and private agencies. These guidelines protect individuals’ private data and strengthen the public’s confidence in the ability of these organisations to handle and use such data properly.

As technology changes and societal attitudes evolve, we will have to review our approach and practices. We strive to strike the right balance to enable us to make the best use of new technology to benefit citizens, while respecting and safeguarding personal private data. We thank Mr Tan for his thoughtful feedback and suggestions, and will consider them alongside the views of other experts and members of the public.

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