3.4 Ethics of Data Management

As geospatial professionals, we have a duty to act responsibly, meet ethical standards in our work, and to respect the privacy of others. Simply because one can access data in a search does not automatically authorize an organization to use that data. An integrity challenge exists when researching open source, third-party, and proprietary data for analysis and writing.

An analyst must recognize the ethical considerations to understand whose information they found, how their actions may adversely impact the organization, and what is allowed. These ethics standards of business data apply to the collection, storage, and use of data for business decisions. Ensure that you understand the licensing rules of openly sourced data for proper citation, individual use, or dissemination.

When performing searches for geospatial or business information, one must ask questions to reflect on the ethics of storing, managing, and sharing the data:

1. What information is allowed to be collected for this project or by my organization?
2. What is the objective, what will be achieved using the data?
3. Who's data did the search uncover?
4. Will disclosure of the data harm any person or entity?
5. Should I proceed? Do we have the right to include this?
6. How can I achieve the project objective without creating an adverse event?

When designing a GIS, collectively planning business strategies, or creating a geospatial database for a specific project, one must consider the ethics of data:

1. collection - citation, credit, attribution
2. storage - permission for use, scope of access to one user or all in an organization
3. use of data - copyright, trademark, secrets, ownership

The Geospatial Data Act of 2018 created a unifying policy covering the use and open sharing of geospatial data. The U.S. National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) establishes:

1. National infrastructure for geospatial applications and services;
2. Source of current and accurate geospatial data for open use from local to global access;
3. Foundation of geospatial data to improve decision making in public and private sector;
4. Resource for people and organizations working towards common goals.

While there are many stories and movies created to glamorize corporate spying, it is illegal under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 to steal, misappropriate, sell, or pass along trade secrets that have a monetary value to a business.

Professional research conducted legally is appropriate, assists companies to optimize their operations and budgets, and potentially benefits consumers with access to products that meet their needs.