Data collection in the modern world has progressed from a simple pen and paper to a seamless and automatic phenomenon. By automatic, we obviously do not mean that there is nothing to do but that there is surely less work to do than entering data into an excel sheet and then processing it.
Mobile data collection is basically taking information from various mobile phones for accurate and bulk data collection.
Let’s explain this with the reasons why it is being seen as a blissfully easy way to collect data and also some obstacles that can come in the way of such activities.
Ease
Number of collection points
Almost all the cellphones that have given permission to share data (and there are billions) are basically a source of data. Your mobile phone is a source of data. Any activity that you do with your mobile phone that allows data to be exchanged is basically one of the billion sources of data the collector has.
This makes it an almost smooth and automatic process that does not require the collector asking people manually for the data or having to make people sign something every time data is exchanged.
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Accuracy
An app like google maps basically depends on the same process of collecting data from many sources to get analysis on a certain subject. When a certain point or some data is being verified by thousands or millions of devices then the accuracy of the information obviously increases.
Thus mobile data collection is a highly accurate source of information or data.
Costing
A huge factor involved in data collection is the cost factor. The cost of collecting data goes up and down drastically when you switch between various ways of collecting certain data.
Thankfully, mobile data collection being the largest system of data collection is also the most cost-effective option. It does not take much to simply record certain parts of the data being transmitted by all the mobile phones.
Obstacles
Customer awareness regarding the value of data
As times progress the people have also become updated regarding the value of their data. Mobile phone users are now aware of the value of their data and are being smart about simply giving away data to various apps and other services.
There are now apps that help people recognize the value of data and help them get paid for the data they share. Even though this is a positive step for the masses, for the collectors it is a huge obstacle.
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Customer awareness regarding data rights
People now understand that their data is sensitive and can be used against them in many ways to harm many aspects of their lives.
For such reasons many apps and other services that can collect data from mobile phones are supposed to take the consent of the user before gaining access to any data. People can now easily decline the request to share data which is obviously another obstacle for the collectors.
Data collection through mobile phones is a blessing in many cases as it helps make the user experience better and helps companies plan a better future for mobile phone users. It also helps in many other ways which might not necessarily be related to the customers.
Though there is also a downside to this which gets highlighted when companies use the data for malpractices. Thus one needs to be vigilant and aware of the various data collection aspects.
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