Are You Using Your Data for Good or Evil?
This past week, I attended and presented at the 2023 NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference. The first day keynote, given by Dr. Safiya Umoja Noble, professor of gender studies and African American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, left me pondering quite a bit about the implications of collecting data.
In the past several years, the U.S. has experienced an increased awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion challenges for many minorities. While I was listening to the narrative and reflecting over the past couple of years, nothing quite stuck out like the keynote from the NTEN conference. Perhaps because it was a direct connection to the work I promote daily, or perhaps it just finally struck a chord, I have been thinking about the discussion for nearly a week now.
Dr. Noble educated the audience on the dangers of using data collected on individuals to discriminate. What was new information to me, was HOW data was being used to make room for discrimination. It got me thinking, are organizations and individuals using data collected for good or evil? (I’m using the term “evil” loosely.)
Data for Evil
Dr. Noble shared two specific examples that stood out. First, some financial institutions are now reviewing a person’s social circle, place of upbringing, and how often they consume fast food to determine creditworthiness. The term coined to describe the process is called “social credit.” You can read more in Forbes’ article, Social Credit: Much More Than Your Traditional Financial Credit Score Data.
If that wasn’t shocking enough, the second example cited colleges using social media posts as a determinate for college admissions. If you had social media when you were 13 years old, what might you have posted that could affect your college application five years later? I know I would’ve likely been embarrassed by my immature posts as a young teen. When I Googled the topic, MANY articles were at the top of the search instructing students on how to use their social media profiles to help their chances of getting into college.
Consumer Reports published Yes, Colleges Check Applicants’ Social Media Posts and stated, “As more colleges look at social media posts, high school teachers and administrators are taking note, with some wealthier districts hiring outside experts to coach their students on how to avoid trouble and bolster their applications while using social media.”
Just these two examples, which aren’t all that rare, made me remember a four-page spread I read in the February 2022 issue of National Geographic magazine that listed a variety of apps many people have on their smartphones and tablets and the various data that’s collected from those apps – data that’s completely irrelevant to the purpose of the app.
National Geographic snapshot of the four-page data collection spread in the February 2022 issue.
With all our data floating around in the metaverse, it begs the question, what is it being used for exactly? In the two examples above, it’s clearly allowing the opportunity for discrimination that can affect many people’s future.
Data for Good
So, how does this relate to nonprofits and their data collection? Most nonprofits are collecting tons of data on a regular basis as well. The conference presentations I listened to were often linked to using data to create a better experience for donors and constituents – mine included.
While nonprofits are typically using data for good, it’s important to remember what risk data collection can bring. The more sensitive data your organization collects, the greater the risk of getting hacked or having your data held for ransom. This is happening more and more frequently to nonprofits since their security is often viewed by hackers as sub-par compared to large for-profit organizations.
While nonprofit teams can certainly be at risk of data creating an opportunity for discrimination and bias, it’s also important to highlight that data can produce hard facts that can combat an individuals’ biases. When a team is reviewing data points to drive strategy, it’s sometimes helpful to have reports and dashboards that show a true picture of what is happening in an organization – removing the opportunity to solely listen to the “Highest Paid Person’s Opinion*” (and biases).
Additionally, I encourage everyone to question why each data point is being collected. If you don’t have a specific use or reason for a data point, why collect it? Not only does it increase time spent on data entry, but it clutters up databases with needless information and, again, puts the nonprofit at risk. Challenge the status quo and ask why every piece of data is being collected. If there’s a good answer, great! If not, push for change.
I’ll end with one final thought about data: at the very least, every organization – nonprofit and otherwise – should strive to be inclusive and accessible. In 2023, there’s no reason not to include pick lists with options that represent all people or have ease of use for those with varying degrees of disability. If you’re unsure if you hit the mark, ask your audience for feedback. They are, after all, who you’re representing in your incredible missions to bring good to this world.
*MacLaughlin, Steve. Data Driven Nonprofits. 2016.
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