This editorial was originally published on Nov 10, 2011. It is being re-run as Steve is traveling for SQL Bits.

Those who mine data for patterns, solutions to problems, crimes, or any other purpose have tremendous power if the data they use can be drilled down into and focused on a particular individual. The European Union seems to be further along in protecting peoples' rights than the US, but US Senators want to try and close that gap. They are pledging scrutiny of government mining to try and ensure that someone knows what work is being done.

I'm not sure that helps us with private companies' trolling through our lives, but it's a start. Having some type of precedent set and some regulations give us a starting point for future laws to provide protection. And where better to start than with our government data mining.

I'm a little torn between how much data should be used and allowed to be used by companies. I enjoy having Amazon recommend things based on my past purchases and other's similar ones. It's handy and convenient. I like my banker knowing to recommend certain products based on my transactions. Or holding transactions when something seems out of character to protect me.

But I wouldn't want that data shared.

And I don't really want anyone looking for patterns to be able to drill down to the details of my digital life and connect the data to me the person. It's that key final step that I think makes a big difference between useful patterns and intrusive ones.