Data shadows refer to the information that a person leaves behind unintentionally while taking part in daily activities such as checking their e-mails, scrolling through social media or even by using their debit or credit card.
[9] For instance, access to such data can help healthcare services shed light on the causes of disease, the effects or side-effects the treatments might have and can facilitate a tailored analysis according to the individual's characteristics.
[13] Platform owners such as Google and Facebook, anchor the trust of their users and reassure them that their information is protected through portrayal of corporate codes of conduct such as “Do no evil” and “Making the world transparent and connected” [13] However, as pointed out by Bodle, platform owners are themselves collecting the user's information and using it for purposes they deem to be necessary.
[14] According to this, European Union countries are forced to remove personal data of individuals upon their request if the information is obsolete or irrelevant.
[2] The aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks has allowed US national security agencies to increase their collation and exchange of information in order to strengthen the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) and to minimize potential threats.