Millions of simultaneous users play Farmville or Draw Something (which scaled up to 36 million users in 6 weeks), which requires a simple, fast, elastic database (called a NoSQL database, a new category of product designed for the age of big data), that can process and deliver massive amounts of user and other types of data in real time.

FORBES: The Big Deal On Big Data

The new requirements for phone and internet companies sets out different time limits for retaining different types of data.

BBC: NEWS | UK | 'Snooper' powers to fight terror

Frankly, when I hear about these types of data compromises I find the discussions of encryption technologies and solutions to be a waste of time.

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