For decades, corporations and investors have been fighting a battle over data. Shareholders push for transparency, while companies do the bare minimum to comply. Just last month, Apple said it would no longer provide details on its iPhone sales. But investors are a resourceful bunch and there's a booming world of alternative data that's helping to fill in the gaps. This week on The Readback, Alex Eule talks with Barron's senior writer Avi Salzman about how alternative data can give investors an edge-and what the risks are. The Readback is a weekly podcast from Barron's. Hosted by Alex Eule and produced by Mette Lützhøft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices