Government’s data dilemma

A few weeks ago I shared a blog – Serving the new digital citizen – enthusing about the potential of digital government.

Across health, social care, welfare, education, transportation and tax, citizen data enables governments to offer proactive, personalized services to individuals, and to form new policies based upon a better understanding of people’s needs. In addition, the level of available data and the power of analytics open new frontiers for public agencies to tackle the complexity of public policies and improve them.

However, with the media full of scare stories about data leaks and misuse, biased algorithms and lack of transparency, citizens are understandably wary about releasing their personal details.

How can governments overcome this data dilemma to unleash the power of information and inspire a new level of public service?

Scepticism and optimism in the great data debate

More and more of our lives are being recorded, as devices capture our personal details, our activities and our preferences, expanding our digital footprint.

We already enjoy a number of subsequent benefits, whether it’s a text reminder for our next vaccine appointment, faster online access to social services, or updates about our children’s progress at school. ?

It’s a similar story in the commercial world, with purchasing made easier and faster, and targeted messaging on relevant products, services, news and entertainment.

At the same time there’s growing scepticism about AI and data analytics shaping our personal profiles, data being shared without consent, and data breaches and theft.

Technology and social media companies in particular are under fire for using data in ways that its owners had never intended. In EY’s global Connected Citizens research, just 29% of respondents are comfortable sharing data on social networking sites and 39% believe big tech should be more heavily regulated.

We see a similar hesitancy over sharing of citizens’ public sector data, with more than half (53%) saying the risks outweigh the benefits. Only 29% are happy with their public data being sold to private companies – even though this could fund better public services or tax cuts. Most respondents don’t even want their data shared between different parts of government.

?Making the case for data sharing

It’s frustrating, but understandable, that distrust is holding back potentially game-changing public service innovations. Encouragingly, our global research found that citizens are more supportive of data sharing when they can see evidence of value for themselves or society – especially when it comes to health.

Fifty-two percent feel it’s ok to use personal data to help track and prevent disease, 59% would let their DNA be analysed to improve their personal health, and 48% would share their DNA with public health authorities to support R&D into drugs and vaccines.

And half of the citizens surveyed say they’re prepared to give their data away in order to access government services or perform transactions online.

These findings suggest that, by making a strong case for sharing, and by increasing trust, governments can convince people that their personal information is being used – safely – for the good of themselves and their fellow citizens

A new code for responsible data usage

There’s an urgent need for new regulations that govern the use of people’s personal data and that way it’s used in AI systems. Algorithms should integrate privacy, ethics and human rights considerations that protect against discrimination and bias.

Governments must be fully transparent about any intentions to share data with private companies, with additional consent required. And citizens should be informed about any automated decision systems, and about security measures in place to protect data.

By helping people directly manage their personal information held by public agencies, governments can strengthen citizens’ control over how their data is used.

Communication campaigns can raise awareness of the benefits of data sharing, on a personal and national level, such as protecting national security, improving responses to pandemics, or faster access to government services.

We’re only scratching the surface of digital government, but such actions will go a long way to unlock the potential of data for personal and societal good. They’ll also boost public confidence in data usage, improving engagement and trust in governments – something I’ll discuss in greater detail in a forthcoming blog.