UK Statistics Authority Opens Data Ethics Centre

The UK Statistics Authority has set up a Centre for Applied Data Ethics, to provide practical guidance and support for researchers and statisticians; and to keep them abreast of new methods, technologies and data sources.

According to Dame Moira Gibb (pictured), Chair of the National Statistician's Data Ethics Advisory Committee, the new centre will aim to provide a space for thought leadership and international engagement. It will also seek to address issues arising from artificial intelligence, geo-location, social media, and surveys, which she says present new opportunities to use (or misuse) the data produced by individuals and society.

The centre will work alongside partners in the UK and internationally to understand current and emerging ethical issues in developing research and statistical projects for the public good, while empowering individuals to address these challenges. Commenting on the launch, Dame Gibb said: 'Accessing, using and sharing both old and new forms of data present substantial ethical challenges that must be considered and addressed to ensure that researchers and statisticians can continue to fulfil their mission of using and producing statistics for the public good and make the world a better place'.

Web site: www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk .