Don't let privacy backlash hamper big data progress

'Big data" is the catchphrase of the day, appearing at each and every tech conference I have attended. China's technology powerhouses are investing billions of dollars annually in mining the massive trove of consumer data, hoping to outgun rivals and cash in on the rising middle class whose behavior is increasingly transparent and traceable in the digital space.

The pursuit for such lucrative data put e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and courier giant SF Express (Group) Co Ltd on a collision course in early June. The duo fought over the control of consumer data generated through Alibaba's e-commerce platforms and ended data sharing, delaying tens of thousands of parcels, a move which almost sent the market into disarray.

Therefore, I was not surprised when a friend of mine said he had failed to check the status of two boxes of mangoes ordered via Taobao using SF's delivery services, because the conflict had substantially affected shipments of fresh produce.