Welbeck Publishing Group announces acquisition of Good Data by Sam Gilbert

Welbeck Publishing Group has announced the acquisition of Good Data by Sam Gilbert, the first book to take a positive outlook on the subject of surveillance, data and privacy. Written by a data expert and tech-industry insider turned Cambridge University researcher, Good Data: An Optimist’s Guide to Our Digital Future promises to ‘make you rethink what you thought you knew about data, privacy, Big Tech and our relationship with technology.’

In his first book, Sam Gilbert examines where our fear of the data revolution has come from, why we should actually be embracing this explosion of information and how it is already helping us in a variety of ways, including combating inequality, advancing knowledge and even protecting us from coronavirus. Good Data explores how, if we can learn to embrace the revolution we could all live vastly improved lives.

Group Publisher for Non-Fiction Wayne Davies bought UK & Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to Good Data from Jonathan Conway at Jonathan Conway Literary Agency Ltd

Wayne Davies said: ‘Sam’s contrarian position grabbed me from the start. Flying in the face of much of the current doom-laden opinion and publishing about our digital world, he’s setting up a vital debate for our futures. And who doesn’t want to read something optimistic right now?’

Sam Gilbert said: ‘Politicians' preoccupation with reining in Big Tech has meant we've lost sight of some important truths: data openness encourages progress, and digital technology gives people power. The story of Good Data is grounded in my own real-world experiences of data science, tech start-ups, and digital marketing, and I'm delighted to be working with Welbeck to bring it to life. Here's to 2021 being the year we embrace a more hopeful vision for our digital future.’