What Is (in) Good Data?

Good Data, Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures Theory on Demand Series, 2019 (Forthcoming).

18 Pages Posted: 27 Dec 2018

See all articles by Monique Mann

Monique Mann

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law

S.Kate Devitt

School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland; Defence Science and Technology

Angela Daly

University of Dundee; University of Oxford - Magdalen College; Tilburg University - Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT)

Date Written: December 6, 2018

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the collection, aggregation and automated analysis of information by government and private actors. In response to this there has been significant critique regarding what could be termed ‘bad’ data practices in the globalised digital economy. These include the mass gathering of data about individuals, in opaque, unethical and at times illegal ways, and the increased use of that data in unaccountable and discriminatory forms of algorithmic decision-making.

This edited collection has emerged from our frustration and depression over the previous years of our academic and activist careers critiquing these dystopian ‘Bad Data’ practices. Rather, in this text on ‘Good Data’ we seek to move our work from critique to imagining and articulating a more optimistic vision of the datafied future. We see many previous considerations of Bad Data practices, including our own, as only providing critiques rather than engaging constructively with a new vision of how digital technologies and data can be used productively and justly to further social, economic, cultural and political goals. The objective of the Good Data project is to start a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder conversation around promoting good and ethical data practices and initiatives, towards a fair and just digital economy and society. In doing so, we combine expertise from various disciplines and sectors, including law, criminology, justice, public health, data science, digital media, and philosophy. The contributors to this text also have expertise in areas such as renewable energy, sociology, social media, digital humanities, and political science. There are many fields of knowledge that need to come together to build the Good Data future. This project has also brought together academic, government and industry experts along with rights advocates and activists to examine and propose initiatives that seeks to promote and embed social justice, due process rights, autonomy, freedom from discrimination and environmental sustainability principles.

Keywords: data ethics, data justice, GDPR, regulation, ethics

JEL Classification: K49, O33, O35, Z18

Suggested Citation

Mann, Monique and Devitt, S.Kate and Daly, Angela, What Is (in) Good Data? (December 6, 2018). Good Data, Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures Theory on Demand Series, 2019 (Forthcoming)., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3297103

Monique Mann

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law ( email )

Level 4, C Block Gardens Point
2 George St
Brisbane, QLD 4000
Australia

S.Kate Devitt

School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland ( email )

St Lucia
Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia

Defence Science and Technology ( email )

PO Box 1500
24 Scherger Drive
Canberra, SA ACT 2610
Australia

Angela Daly (Contact Author)

University of Dundee ( email )

Dundee, Scotland DD1 4HN
United Kingdom

University of Oxford - Magdalen College ( email )

Magdalen College
Oxford, OX1 4AU
United Kingdom

Tilburg University - Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT) ( email )

P.O.Box 90153
Prof. Cobbenhagenlaan 221
Tilburg, 5037
Netherlands

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