Data Ethics, Part II

Data Literacy

Neutrality Thesis

• Why does the neutrality thesis continue?
• Subject vs Object.

Technological Mediation

• Technology mediates our decisions.
• The form Shapes the behavior.

Delegation

• Technology that delegates decision-making.
• Example: speed bump.
• Data Structures.

Rubric

• PFAT:
  • Privacy
  • Fairness
  • Accountability
  • Transparency

Privacy

• Consent
• Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Anonymization
• Data Minimization
• We don’t know what we collect today will be used for tomorrow.

• General definition: “not being observed or disturbed by other people.”
• Freedom from arbitrary disturbance. (consent is key).
• Information not shared without consent.
• Anonymizing data.
• Using data in unauthorized ways.
• Knowledge of how data will be used.
• Privacy is connected to free will or autonomy.
• Why?
  • Possible harm.
  • Loss of Trust.
  • Undermines autonomy.
    • Freedom can get co-opted into acting in ways against own best interest.

Fairness

• Definition
• No arbitrary discrimination.
• No disparate impact.
• Why?
  • Libertarian Answer.
  • Egalitarian Answer.

• General definition: “treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination.”
  • Merit-based definition.
• You ensure that you don’t discriminate against already marginalized groups.
  • Most want to push the standard higher.
  • This pushes standard higher.
• Why?
  • Could aggravate the problem.
  • Don’t aggravate existing social inequalities.
  • Undermines faith in the system.
• Fairness
  • no arbitrary discrimination.
    • Why?
    • Libertarian: free market answer. We should be equal in marketplace (makes market less free).
    • Egalitarian: social justice, groups have a history of being discriminated against.

Transparency

• What are we collecting?
• How are we using it?
• With whom do we share it?

• roles: analyst, manager, model subject (theoretical person we are collecting on).
• Transparency at every level.
• Clarity in data generation collection process.
• Explain to the subject in a way they can understand.
• GDPR says model subject has a right to explanation.

Accountability

• Must justify actions or decisions.
• Aligning theory & practice.
• Oversight
• Plan in case of failure.

• General definition: responsibility, “required to justify actions or decisions.”
• Obligation to implement ethical principles, and demonstrate legal compliance, and recognize potential negative outcomes.
  • Largely role of manager.
  • responsibility, integrity, respect.
  • Comply with implementing measures that help ensure that fairness and transparency are met.
• Some oversight committee used to maintain accountability.
• Why?
  • If not, no justice for the people harmed.
  • Socially destabilizing.
• Accountability
  • Responsibility, integrity, respect.
  • Comply with implementing measures that help ensure that fairness and transparency are met.
  • Ability to demonstrate compliance when someone asks. (shareholder, customer, etc.)
  • Recognize and respond to possible negative consequences.