Evolving accountability and impact
1. Evolving accountability and impact
Hey there! Let's understand the evolving accountability considerations when it comes to data ethics.2. Accountability is not the same as compliance
Accountability obligations and discussions on data ethics often refer to data privacy and protection, especially on the compliance aspect of data protection with laws like the GDPR or the General Data Protection Regulation of the EU, where organizations who collect data for a specific purpose are known as controllers. Those who process data for them are processors, with clear responsibilities both for controllers and processors. While compliance with data protection is definitely important, accountability goes beyond that in the context of data ethics; as we know, ethics is ahead of the law, and today's ethics may become tomorrow's regulations. So it's essential to understand and adjust your accountability obligations with changing societal attitudes, respect for rights and environmental well-being, and progressive trends.3. Impact and risk assessments
Some of the most tangible ways of demonstrating accountability is to conduct risk and impact assessment on data use and applications, including data protection impact assessment, combined with the analysis of any residual risks in terms of re-identification, the impact of data biases on certain groups or individuals affected by data-driven applications, etc. However, accountability obligations also go beyond privacy and fairness, often on aspects that are not obvious in your regular data ethics discussion.4. Not your obvious data ethics topic
Responsible data management and protection of data alone are not enough for some stakeholders. For instance, data created by or collected from indigenous communities are tied with sensitive and complex historical power dynamics. Data ethics can be a form of reconciliation for the injustices faced by these communities by setting up and adhering to data governance standards that empower indigenous people, show them respect, and give them control and stewardship over their data. One such initiative takes the form of CARE principles for indigenous data governance which expands to Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics in data governance and stewardship.5. Data and drinking water
Another lesser-known accountability focus area is the environmental impact of data. Many data centers need water-based cooling systems to store vast amounts of data. Many of them use drinkable or potable water for cooling. One of the largest data center operators' cooling water volumes is mainly drinking water, which is morally problematic since many people have no access to drinking water. One of the accountability interventions would be to explore solutions to reduce drinking water usage for cooling data centers or choosing environmentally sensitive suppliers.6. Accountability is continuous
Given the power and impact of data on technological progress, the accountability obligations related to data ethics will continue to evolve. Organizations will have to demonstrate their accountability in one form or another- through regulatory compliance, codes of conduct, or industry best practices. Organizations must constantly monitor and comprehensively oversee their data-related activities and applications and their impact on all stakeholders- internal and external, local and global. And you don't have only to do it to be altruistic; it will give you a competitive advantage, increase trust and transparency, and you'll be more than ready when today's ethics become tomorrow's laws!7. Let's practice!
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