This edited volume reports on the findings of a three-year ARC-funded project examining the application and use of big data, data linkage and related technologies in social policy.

It reports on original research (interviews and focus groups with policy-makers) as well as in-depth case studies on recent applications of data technologies, such as the infamous robodebt. It synthesises principles and insights from a number of sources to provide targeted advice on opportunities and the threats of big data for Australian policy-makers and researchers.