How to make a declaration for responsible data practice?
By: Lauren Coulman
Tags: Open Data, Tech, Responsible Technology, Civictech

Making a declaration these days can be a risky business. As a tool to influence change, it can feel definitive and intractable — the opposite to the open-minded and fluid nature often needed to create change. Yet in reality, it all depends on how you go about making one.

That’s what makes Open Data Manchester’s approach so appealing. A social enterprise based out of our social impact and ethical tech hub here at The Federation, engaging organisations in exploring data practice and the use of technology is essential to building muscle around responsible data practice.

Why this is important is becoming increasingly evident. Building waves, of press story after press story, flagging the misuse or the potential ills of withheld data are heightening concerns. Governments, regulators and most importantly, those people whose data is being misappropriated, and used for political gain or profit are starting to ask questions of how people’s information is used.

MI5 holding citizen data unlawfully and doing nothing to rectify it. Cambridge Analytica collecting unwitting “friend of friends” data to analyse and sell on to the Republican party to influence voters during the U.S. presidential election. The Burmese military spreading misinformation of the Rohingya people, creating the conditions that led to the genocide of millions of people.

Data matters. It’s why data needs to be considered, and beyond the policy wonks and civic organisations who already consider the human rights of the people that data is collected from. With increasing lack of trust in those who sit outside this conscientious sphere of influence, Open Data’s approach addresses many of those concerns, simply by bringing diverse organisations together.

At the inaugural event, the CEO Julian and programme office Sam brought together cross-sector players. Thoughtworks and the Co-Op represented the private sector, GMCA contributed on the public sector’s behalf, and the Democratic Society and Hyper Island brought thinking from the third sector and academia respectively.

Tasked with co-designing the framework, the diverse group were tasked with exploring the issues and opportunities underpinning responsible data practice, starting with who else needs to be considered. Everyday people — children in particular due to being unable to consent — plus the media, politicians and big business all play a part.

With that in mind, Open Data Manchester broke those gathered up into groups to explore topics as diverse as AI and algorithms, the impact of data use and data and democracy. The limitations of design undertaken with biased data to the opportunities offered to communities when placed in charge of their own data were all flagged and helped outline how a framework might take shape.

Exploring the boundaries of responsible data practice was also essential and presented with tasks ranging covering public sector debates and third sector conundrums, helped each of the teams flesh out what needs to be taken into consideration.

One team examined the use of data to flag up people who may be at risk of homelessness. On the surface seemingly a no brainer. Yet, why the data was used — public sector cost savings versus mobilising support for people — and how it’s used — enabling agencies vs manipulating policy — were all debated and providing some insight into the context into which data usage should be considered.

While the event was the first in a series, with more to come digging deeper into the public sector, civic society, academic and community perspective, the user research goes beyond simply contributing to the declaration that’s intended.

By involving people in the process, and creating a tool with and not for, the many organisation’s involved become better informed and able to take action within their own sectors, organisations and teams. In and of itself a responsible use of data from the very players it hopes to influence, the ongoing work around Open Data Manchester’s declaration is one to watch.