Nasdaq CEO says it’s time for corporate America to get in on alt data
Business Insider (subscription)
Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman, speaking at today’s Quandl Data Conference, says there are alternative-data use cases for big non-finance companies. She says the exchange hopes to leverage its relationships with firms on its exchanges to promote use of data for R&D and market research. Read More
Without permission, apps send Facebook highly sensitive personal info
Wall Street Journal (subscription)
The social-media giant collects intensely personal information from many popular apps, even if users have no connection to Facebook, according to testing done by the WSJ. The report comes as Facebook faces heavy regulatory scrutiny over how it treats user data. Read More
Bloomberg jumps into the alternative data biz
Integrity Research
Bloomberg’s entry into alt data will expand investor access to alternative data and give vendors distribution. Still, Bloomberg is a latecomer to the alt-data game as several other firms have already launched data marketplaces, are farther along with data sources, and boast analytical features. Read More
Facebook to launch long-awaited ‘clear history’ feature
CNBC
Facebook will launch its ‘clear history’ feature this year, allowing users to see and delete information about apps and web sites they’ve interacted with. This will make it harder to use third-party data for targeted ads. Read More
A big data strategy is key to achieve greater alpha
Forbes
Investors can capitalize on big- and alt-data analysis, but increasing data volumes can create problems. Overanalysis can lead to paralysis, and big data can drain resources if not used properly. Data scientists and quants share strategies for success. Read More
How to get the best results from big data analysis
Knowledge@Wharton
In this podcast, managerial economics and decision sciences specialist Scott E. Page explains how using many models is the best way to make sense out of the reams of data available in today’s digital world – and why it’s important to widen your data lens. Read More
Using search intelligence as alt data
Medium
One of the most popular types of alt data is consumer transactions. The author illustrates how analysts can gauge brand sentiment by keeping sight of search. Read More
An alternative-data profile of Pinterest as it preps for IPO
Thinknum
Pinterest reportedly filed to go public this year. Using years of alternative data across multiple metrics, here’s a closer look at the company before it hits the market. Read More
The age of the quant is coming to an end
eFinancialCareers
Ten years ago, quants needed deep knowledge of mathematical techniques to do the job. Today it’s much less groundbreaking. Quants have been dumbed down and most offer no more than a hygiene function, a 20-year industry veteran argues. Read More
California governor wants Silicon Valley to pay you a data dividend
CNET
Big Tech companies profit richly from user data. California Governor Gavin Newsom thinks some of that cash should be returned to users as a “data dividend.” Read More