Ethical Considerations in Big Data Mining: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility

Abstract

As organizations increasingly rely on big data analytics to guide decision-making, ethical considerations surrounding privacy, accountability, fairness, and inclusivity have become central to responsible data governance. While large-scale data mining offers significant benefits in efficiency, fraud detection, and public administration, it also poses substantial risks when safeguards are inadequate. This paper examines ethical challenges associated with big data mining through the lenses of administrative law, case law, and public policy. Using recent judicial decisions and a hypothetical federal agency initiative as a framework, the paper analyzes the consequences of unauthorized data access, opaque algorithmic decision-making, and insufficient oversight. It concludes by proposing best practices and governance strategies to balance technological innovation with ethical responsibility.