Analyzing large data sets—so called big data—will become a key basis of competition, underpinning new waves of productivity growth, innovation, and consumer surplus as long as the right policies and enablers are in place.

So say McKinsey...

http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/publications/big_data/index.asp

"Right policies and enablers" - yup - since Informed Consent has failed in the web maybe we just need "some good old consumer protection". I would credit that quote but the relevant privacy lawyer is a very private person :-)