But, before this conclusive statement, let us understand the difference between the two:

What is Digitization? 

Digitization refers to records created by digitizing physical data records, such as those found in books, videotapes, and CDs. These records are much easier to store, back up, share, edit, and analyze.

When computers were still a fresh invention, this was a big transition, since a lot of data was created and kept in “hard copy.”

Digitization has held its importance since its introduction, since it has helped many declutter their lives by digitizing the paper notes and records, they had horded. 

However, digitization is no longer a crucial trend as trend as it used to be, taking into account that most of that data is already created in a digital format.

And here is when Datafication kicks in.

What Is Datafication? 

"Datafication" is the process of gathering data by quantitatively analyzing previously examined qualitative events. Datafication is different from digitization, because of the fact that so much data now originates and exists in digital form.

Why Is Datafication Important? 

Datafication is significant because it reflects a compromise between internet users and the businesses that sell us products and services. The better those businesses understand us, the more they can improve the services they offer.

This is in turn a win-win situation. Online users' experience is possible when using the internet, and the better those experiences are, the more likely they are to support the businesses that make the websites they use accessible to them.

Future of Datafication

One of the reasons that make datafication so crucial in today’s world, in fact, the only reason that makes it significant is that people spend much of their time online than ever before. Not only this, the devices used today, to access online elements are becoming increasingly ubiquitous.

On a home desktop, information can be gathered from an online experience. With access to its user's camera, location, and other features, a mobile device may capture considerably more data. Additionally, many people use mobile devices more frequently than desktop PCs.

These trends are highly likely to increase. The methods used to store and manage personal data, however, may prevent a loss of privacy from being a natural consequence of an increase in data.

Currently, cookies allow users to customize the extent to which they exchange data for online efficiency, but many aspects are still beyond the control of the familiar may. This leaves the ‘developments in datafication’ a significant theme of conversation to look forward to.