Data Ethics
The branch of ethics that evaluates data practices with respect to the moral obligations of gathering, protecting, and using personally identifiable information.
Definition
Covers principles like consent, fairness, transparency, and accountability in data collection, processing, sharing, and analytics. Data-ethics governance includes ethical-impact assessments, stakeholder engagement (including vulnerable groups), and public disclosure of data-use policies—ensuring data practices align with societal values and human rights beyond mere legal compliance.
Real-World Example
A consumer-survey platform conducts a data-ethics review before launching a mental-health questionnaire. They consult psychologists and privacy advocates, adjust questions to avoid intrusive prompts, clearly explain data uses to participants, and publish an ethics statement outlining safeguards and opt-out options.
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