Global data storage to reach one zettabyte

The amount of data being stored around the world is soaring.

Facebook users alone are uploading more than 1,000 photos a second; that's three billion photos per month.

It is estimated that the amount of digital data stored in the world grew by 60% last year.

Scientists say the global total is approaching one zettabyte of digital storage.

But what exactly is a zettabyte?

The BBC's Jeff Baird provides some perspective on this massive number.

What is the real cost of holding so much information electronically?

Matthew Yeager is in charge of data storage for Computacenter, Europe's largest IT infrastructure company.

First broadcast 26 July 2010