Passage 1
"Big data" is becoming a buzz word of the 21st century. Technically, big data refers to a data set that is too large to analyze. Colloquially, big data refers to the ever-increasing amount of personal information that is collected by computers. Computers monitor and record our online habits, what we buy at the grocery store, our medical and educational records, and even our location. This glut of information has many screaming about privacy concerns. However, sensible protections can be put into place that will unlock the power of big data and positively transform our economy, science, and society.

Passage 2
The casual acceptance of the collection of personal data is one of the most troubling trends of the information age. Proponents of big data argue that the benefits outweigh the potential risks, and that proper regulation of the use of data can adequately control the dangers. However, it is very unlikely that we will be able to identify the right ways to regulate the use of data and to persuade the global community to agree on these regulations. Even if we could, what group or agency has the power to monitor the entirety of the Internet? It is far wiser to take immediate steps to limit the collection of personal data now.

Reread the last sentence of Passage 1:
However, sensible protections can be put into place that will unlock the power of big data and positively transform our economy, science, and society.
How would the author of

Passage 2 most effectively respond to the ideas in the last sentence?


A.  by explaining that too many businesses already rely on the collection of big data

B.  by pointing out that data has already transformed our economy, science, and society

C.  by protesting that it is unfair to collect information from people without their knowledge

D.  by claiming that it is not practical to expect protections to be put into place and enforced

E.  I don't know.

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