Who’s running things now? Why data is changing the roles of government and business

The balance of power over knowledge about citizens has undoubtedly shifted from government to business. It’s now private organisations such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon, and not governments who hold the lion’s share of information on private people. Audrey Lobo-Pulo discusses the policy implications of this 21st century reality.

When Google’s Chief Economist, Hal Varian, said that, “Google will make us more informed”, he was referring to how providing people with greater access to information may increase their potential to contribute to society.