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