Today, Future of Privacy Forum and Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy released Nothing to Hide: Tools for Talking (and Listening) About Data Privacy for Integrated Data Systems. Nothing to Hide provides governments and their partners working to integrate data for policy and program improvement with the necessary tools to lead privacy-sensitive, inclusive engagement efforts. In addition to a narrative step-by-step guide to communication and engagement on data privacy, the toolkit is supplemented with action-oriented appendices, including worksheets, checklists, exercises, and additional resources.
Integrated Data Systems leverage the data that agencies routinely collect in the course of delivering public services to help governments serve communities better, smarter, and faster. By linking data across government silos, IDS can inform the evidence-based design and implementation of programs, help measure and evaluate outcomes across the lifecourse, and enable policy-makers to better address complex social problems.
Respecting privacy is paramount to successful data sharing and integration efforts. The use of sensitive personal data is governed by local, state, and federal privacy laws and regulations, as well as rigorous technical safeguards and ethical norms. Nevertheless, individuals and communities routinely have questions and concerns about how their information is used and protected. The strongest IDS lean into opportunities to talk about why data are necessary for social policy improvement and innovation—and also make time to listen to and address stakeholders’ concerns, expectations, and priorities.
“The path to lasting success for IDS is establishing sound, two-way communications; empowering stakeholders; and continually serving the public good,” said Kelsey Finch, Policy Counsel at FPF. “Ultimately, societal acceptance and approval for evidence-based policy depend not merely on legal compliance with privacy rules, but on each IDS’ legitimacy, credibility, and public trust.”
“The state and local governments we work with take their role as data stewards very seriously. Like us, they believe that an ethical imperative exists to respectfully share and use data as a public asset, with the appropriate safeguards in place,” said Della Jenkins, Executive Director of AISP.
FPF and AISP hope this toolkit will help government leaders and IDS stakeholders to articulate that commitment, and do the hard work of both talking and listening about data privacy. In doing so, they are bound to increase both communities’ trust in the value of data sharing and their long-term impact.
Click here to access the toolkit.
This material is based upon work supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by, CNCS or the Social Innovation Fund.
Thanks to our partners at Third Sector Capital Partners and the members of our Empowering Families and AISP Learning Community for sharing experiences and insights about data privacy and engagement.
About Future of Privacy Forum
Future of Privacy Forum is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for privacy leadership and scholarship, advancing principled data practices in support of emerging technologies. Learn more about FPF by visiting www.fpf.org.
About Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy
Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy is an initiative that focuses on the development, use, and innovation of integrated data systems (IDS) for policy analysis and program reform. AISP encourages social innovation and social policy experimentation so government can work better, smarter and faster. Learn more about AISP by visiting aisp.upenn.edu.