Why we need data empowerment in these trying times
For several months, all has been quiet on the data empowerment blog. Like the rest of the world, we were shocked when the pandemic hit. We put down our pencils, paused our publication schedule and spent time rethinking the topics we wanted to cover. COVID-19 changed everything.
We chose to listen, to hear people’s experiences, and to reflect on the role of data during the pandemic. We followed the advice of Herminia Ibarra to “embrace the “liminal” period” and to reflect on the many voices debating how data should be used in these trying times.
We have become used to the daily updates on infection rates and death counts. But as we digest these harrowing statistics, we must remember that these numbers don’t include everyone. As Claudia Wells argues, “the most vulnerable people are the most likely to be missing from the data”.
Data has also become a tool to tackle the virus. An enormous volume of data has been collected from people for contact-tracing purposes, triggering concerns about digital privacy and how else this data might be used. Others have called for more data openness so that those building solutions to address the health, economic, and social costs of the pandemic are able to use data — and do so in a responsible way.
I live in the Philippines, which tops South East Asia’s leaderboard for number of COVID-19 cases. Yes, we have a leadership crisis that has contributed to our failure to contain the virus, despite having one of the most stringent lockdown policies. But we also have a crisis of poor data quality that prevents local leaders, businesspeople, and ordinary citizens from responding appropriately.
I have been reflecting on why data empowerment matters more than ever in these trying times, in the Philippines and elsewhere. Using the framework we highlighted in our previous post, here are three reasons that data empowerment is critical:
1. We need transparency and accountability from governments on COVID-19 data.
The Philippines is not the only country where the government has been heavily criticized for misreporting COVID-19 data. Across the globe, there is a lack of transparency not only in reporting for coronavirus cases but also for government spending. As Article 19 wrote:
“The secrecy is everywhere: deaths, infections and lack of equipment for health care workers have been covered up, subsidies for large companies have been closed from public scrutiny, contracts for vital equipment have been given to politically-connected groups, shadowy groups have been offering science advice, and telecommunications companies and new mobile apps are collecting information on people without revealing what they are collecting and how the data is being used.”
Calls for strengthened transparency have been raised in many corners — from governments and medical professionals to advocacy groups and nonprofits, among others. Collectively, citizens need to band together and demand transparent reporting from governments. We need to read government statements, be critical and point out questionable claims in the process.
Of course, many governments will not respond positively to such calls. We know, for example, that critics of Indonesia’s response to the coronavirus have been arrested — including our friend Ravio Patra. Critics speaking out in Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines and elsewhere have met similar fates. Demand for transparency and accountability needs to transcend borders, with international solidarity, so that activists in all countries are able to speak out freely and safely and help contribute to an effective COVID-19 response.
2. People need actionable information to help them respond appropriately to the virus.
Ever since the data revolution has been touted as a solution to key global problems, intermediaries that translate data to actionable information have been important to realize the value of data. During this pandemic, a number of initiatives across the globe led by civic tech communities and non-profits have been launched to help countries respond better using data:
- Nigeria: BudgtIT and Civic Hive launched CovidFundTracka to monitor funding for COVID response.
- Kenya: Dokeza — a platform encouraging public participation in policy-making — has been used by citizens to input into the parliamentary process, even while proceedings were suspended due to COVID-19.
- Indonesia: The company Qlue launched the Qlue Therma Sensor, an AI and IoT-based thermal and mask detector, to make it easier for businesses and other organisations to implement mandated health guidelines.
- Taiwan: A netizen with support from the civic tech community compiled a website that provides useful information such as travel information, disease-related statistics, government announcements, information about where to find masks, and elderly-friendly advice to help control the spread of the virus.
Data intermediary initiatives like this are crucial, helping to translate complex data into actionable information. Data empowered intermediaries can transfer the value they derive from data to support citizens in their decision-making processes. Support for these initiatives from governments, donors, and even the private sector, is essential.
3. As our personal data is collected, our data rights and privacy must be protected.
There is a proliferation of technology-based solutions that collect personal data purportedly to contain the spread of COVID-19. This raises issues of privacy and control that need to be tackled.
There are a wide range of opinions on how we should think about privacy when it comes to data-led responses to the pandemic, from the skeptics to the evangelists. This issue requires a thorough discussion. In our upcoming blog posts, we will contribute to this debate from a data empowerment perspective.
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Individual, collective and intermediated: three roads to data empowerment
