Building public confidence in location data: The ABC of ethical use

This paper builds on existing data laws and ethical principles, as well as the Geospatial Commission’s own research.

• From: Government Digital Service
• Published: 30 January 2025

• Ethical theme: Appropriate Transparency and Explainability, Fairness, Accountability and Governance and Societal Wellbeing
• Organisation: Geospatial Commission
• Project phase: Across Lifecycle and Planning
• Technology area: Data

Description

This paper builds on existing data laws and ethical principles, as well as the Geospatial Commission’s own research. Location data provides a useful window through which to consider data ethics. Its ubiquity makes it easier to ground a subject as complex as data ethics in tangible examples that support meaningful consultation. The Geospatial Commission has engaged widely, consulting: the public through our public dialogue and survey, practitioners and academia through our Oversight Group and Partner Bodies, and policymakers interested in data across UK government and the devolved administrations. Our aim is to support the national conversation of data ethics through a location data lens.

Read the guidance on Building public confidence in location data: The ABC of ethical use

Published 30 January 2025