Most people do not want to use their personal data to harm or profit the company
Clear information about how people’s data is being used won’t necessarily alleviate their concerns about it, new research from the University of Sheffield has found.
The “Living With Data” project aims to understand people’s perceptions of how data about them is collected, analyzed, shared and used (“data use”) in three public sectors: welfare , health and communication public services.
Research shows that people are concerned and often confused about commercial companies accessing, using and profiting from the data initially collected for their clients. Good societyAs health dataor by public sector organizations such as the NHS.
Research shows that being clear about commercial involvement in the use of public sector data can reduce confusion, but it will not alleviate concern. It has been found that the people who know the most about the use of data are, in fact, the people who care the most about it.
Of particular concern is the involvement of big tech companies like Amazon and Palantir in the NHS COVID-19 Data Store. Only 5% of people support commercial companies that profit from the use of personal data, and only 1 in 10 are not concerned about commercial companies participating in the provision of public services such as healthcare. or welfare.
Experts say the finding highlights the urgent need for public sector organizations to rethink their data-driven systems, especially those from which companies trade. profit can be obtained.
Digital Consortium Professor Helen Kennedy, from the University of Sheffield, said, “One way to do this is for public-sector data practitioners to look at alternative ways to deliver data services. This will not be easy given the global monopoly in providing these services, but it is not impossible Changes to the data ecosystem could give the public more confidence in the use of the data. use their personal data that policymakers and users want to see.”
Different demographic groups have different concerns about what their data is used for, demonstrating that social inequality also play a role in shaping people’s attitudes towards data usage.
People with disabilities are found to be more active in sharing health data than people without disabilities, and whites trust police use of data more than blacks, Asians, and Americans. other ethnic minorities.
Research also shows that elder trusted their GP more young peopleand LGBTQ+ people have less trust in health organizations than heterosexual transgender respondents.
However, despite these differences, there are also similarities. Research shows that people from different groups are aware that the use of data can reinforce inequality, and they do not want data use to have negative consequences for those in disadvantaged backgrounds. towel or minority community. For example, there is concern that people without access to relevant technology in their homes are excluded from using data-driven systems. They want data-driven systems to be inclusive “for all communities”, as one study participant commented.
Professor Kennedy added, “Data policymakers and data practitioners need to acknowledge that there is widespread concern about the potential discriminatory effects of other data-driven systems. They then need to address this. The way society uses data needs to change so that harm can be removed and its use is in the public or social good. In order to do these things, specific uses of data need to be stopped, such as those that deepen inequalities. the public will continue to be concerned if these changes are not implemented.”
The report recommends that eliminating harm to people from disadvantaged and minority groups and ensuring data use is in the public or societal interest should drive change.
Provided by
University of Sheffield
Quote: The majority of people do not want to use their personal data to harm or profit the company (2022, 24 October) retrieved 24 October 2022 from https://techxplore.com /news/2022-10-majority-people-dont -personal-result.html
This document is the subject for the collection of authors. Other than any fair dealing for personal study or research purposes, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content provided is for informational purposes only.