The article discusses a legal dispute between M Science, a data analytics firm, and Yipit, a company that scrapes data from emails and sells it to hedge funds. M Science alleges that Yipit’s practices violate anti-hacking laws and consumer privacy rights. The case highlights the growing importance of alternative data in the investment industry, where hedge funds seek an edge by analyzing non-traditional data sources. However, the methods used to obtain this data raise ethical concerns and legal risks. The article explores the implications of the case for the alternative data industry, which is estimated to be worth $200 billion. It also delves into the broader debate surrounding data privacy and the potential need for increased regulation in this rapidly evolving field.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/m-science-yipit-legal-fight-alt-data-hedge-funds-2025-1