The Power and Danger of Data

If there was a lesson to be learned from the 2016 presidential election, it was, perhaps, the power of data, algorithms, and targeting.

In the years leading up to the election, Americans (and the world) spent more than a decade sharing our most private selves with friends, family, colleagues, and utter strangers on social media. We became a nation of tweeters and Facebookers. The prevalence of mobile broadband and smartphones meant that even in the most economically challenged areas, we were probably on Facebook (and maybe less so Twitter).

In the remarkable year and a half leading up to the election of Donald J. Trump as President, the campaigns worked closely with social media companies and, third-party data providers, data scientists, and programmers to peel back our digital skins and reach our psychic cores, the things that motivated or de-motivated us the most.

I’ve known most of this for years, investigating how a television reality show host won the presidency over an experienced politician and stateswoman. There were factors like economic disparity, a tech revolution leaving millions of communities and people behind, and the one campaign taking way too many voters intentions for granted.

Recently, though, we learned that the level of micro-targeting was used in 2016 not just to motivate voters based on their interests or even to move undecided into one decided camp or another, but to play on exactly who they are and what their fears might be about a candidate to deter them from voting at all.

According to a new and detailed report out of the UK’s Channel 4, the Trump campaign may have used all that data from Cambridge Analytica (basically misused data from Facebook) and Facebook’s micro-targeting capable ad system to target black voters in key swing states, especially those whom the Clinton campaign mistakenly thought it could count on, and keep them from heading to the polls. As the report depicts it, they succeeded.

“We live in a world of data, but it’s how the data is used, manipulated, and then the platform allowing for this to happen which fundamentally to me is a slap in the face for every single voter,” said “Jamal Watkins VP of NAACP in the report.

So, what’s the point?

Facebook and Twitter have made significant adjustments on data safety and ad targeting fronts, but they have little control over information shared and targeted on Twitter and Facebook that is not an outright political ad (or an ad at all).

Writ large, this is a reminder is that data is just information, but it’s also like gun powder: Inert and spreadable, but also easily ignited and possibly dangerous with the right accelerant. For Data, algorithms and your personal preferences are those accelerants. As we get closer to Nov. 3, it’s worth remembering that information on Facebook, in particular, that supports and reinforces your greatest fears and biases (if you can recognize them) is not necessarily there to help you. It may be designed specifically to influence you and push you further in one direction or another.

Social media is a platform for sharing, not a place to make up your mind.

Google’s Night In

Google rolled out a small collection of new smart products, including two new Pixel smartphones that solidify Google’s position as "a top-tier-mid-range player.” The Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 are a pair of 5G phones with decent 12 and 16 MP (ultra-wide) cameras, IP ratings (finally), wireless charging, fingerprint readers, and a few nifty new features like “Hold for me,” which will literally handle the call waiting chores for you.

There was a time when Google was, on the smartphone front, innovating at an Apple or Samsung level, but Google is not more interested in a high-quality experience at an affordable price. These devices start at $499.

I was also pleased to see a new Chromecast streaming dongle with – wait for it – a remote! I never took to Chromecast because it was the only streaming device that insisted I use my phone as the remote control. Not anymore.

Lenovo’s smart idea

It’s a busy product season, which means it’s tough to stand out from the crowd, especially when you’re not considered the “sexy company.” Lenovo, though, did a fair job of it last week when it officially launched its folding screen laptop, the X1 Fold and a 15 inch laptop, the ThinkBook 15 Gen 2, which includes a hidden pair of wireless, Bluetooth earbuds. They actually have their own charging drawer in the chassis of the Windows 10 system (and somehow the whole thing costs $549).

There’s more to this idea than just a neat gimmick. Most of us are still working from home and engaging in numerous Zoom meetings. Having your earbuds charged and accessible is a big deal. Putting them right inside the laptop you’re using every day is kind of genius.

Epic’s losing battle

In the ongoing battle between Apple and Epic, which claims Apple’s App Store is a monopoly after Apple booted Epic’s Fortnite for breaking the App Store rules, Epic is not winning many points. The judge overseeing the case basically tore into Epic and didn’t think it really made its case. On the other hand, she expects the whole mishegas to be handed over to another judge and jury.

On the media

This is a cool listen featuring smart insight on technology, engineering, and the future of digital journalism from my former colleague and current CNN CTO Robyn Peterson. One solid takeaway: “Good product development requires empathy.”

Let’s go

Microsoft introduced its most affordable Surface Laptop, the Surface Laptop Go, It looks sharp and should appeal to cash-strapped students and families adjusting to remote learning chores.

Roku line grows

Last week I learned that the Roku system in my TV and Roku devices will be getting a nice update. But I think I’m more excited about the new $129 Roku Streambar.

Pop quiz

Think you know a lot about the history of technology? Take this quiz. I did not do as well as I thought I would.

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