Ethical Implications of the GeoConvergence

1. Ethical Implications of the
GeoConvergence
May 2021

2. Denise McKenzie
@Spatialred
denise-mckenzie.com

3. Trust
Responsibility
Ethics
Privacy
Transparency
Accountability

4. When does cool become
creepy?
The IoT and mobile devices
bring amazing opportunities for
new tech to make our lives
easier. But at what point does it
do from innovation to creepy
intrusion?
denise-mckenzie.com

5. Image source: Wikipedia
Cambridge Analytica
● In 2017 Cambridge Analytica’s
use of Facebook data broke,
coming to a head in 2018
● The investigations raised
many questions of trust and
responsibility in the use of
personal information including
location data

6. COVID-19
happened…..

9. “Datafication” expressing and managing
the world with data
Bias - Privacy - Market power and data colonialism
Complexity - Transparency - Trust

10. Why does this matter to you?

11. Benchmark Initiative
• Supported by PLACE (part of the Omidyar
Network) and Ordnance Survey
• Complementary program in USA EthicalGeo

12. Locus Charter

13. Locus Charter

15. Related initiatives
Activities Document Type Audience
Locus Charter (Benchmark Initiative & EthicalGEO) Strategic Global Principles Organisations (private & public)
primarily, but can also be endorsed
by individuals
ODI Data Ethics Canvas
GEO – Data Working Group Ethics best practice (in discussion)
Geonovum – Ethical Framework
OGC – GeoEthics adhoc (proposed working group)
Frameworks / Best Practices Organisations
W3C SDWWG – Responsible Use Guide
Godan – Ethical Code Toolkit
SDSN TReNDS – Contracts for Data Collaboration
Omidyar Network - Ethics Explorer
DevGRG – Development Research Ethical Guidelines
Gather principles
Guides / Guidelines / Templates Practitioners implementing on a
daily basis
URISA / GISCI (USA)
SSSI (Australia & NZ)
RICS (UK)
ASPRS (USA)
Codes of Ethics Individuals, Professionals

16. Topics for further thought….
● Privacy and surveillance: how do we balance location privacy with
greater needs for geographic insights?
● How to represent collective rights and interests in data?
● Optimising AI applications: for whose benefit? In planning, traffic
management, air quality, property rights,
● Transparency: should a public service implement decisions it can’t
explain? Should private sector be allowed to keep innovating without
transparency?
● Automation: done for citizens, or to them?
● Who do you trust with your location data?
● It is not all doom and gloom - what are the positive opportunities
here and how do we realise their benefit?

18. Questions?
Denise McKenzie
denise.mckenzie@geovation.uk