The Secret Life of Immortal Data

Abstract

We are moving towards a world in which data have a life beyond the individual; where the value and potential of data are ever-changing as technological developments bring new possibilities. This immortality of data raises new ethical and societal issues that have not yet been fully articulated, and consequently we are unprepared to deal with. The challenges of dealing with large volumes of personal data are increasingly apparent in many fields of practice, although they may manifest in different ways. This workshop brings together participants from diverse domains to provide an opportunity to articulate across disciplines and stakeholders the commonalities in the issues that arise. We aim to stimulate debates about how we might work collaboratively to anticipate, manage and prevent future issues. The presentations and discussions will be used to prepare a summary white paper/symposium briefing document to be disseminated more widely.