Ethics and geographic information

ABSTRACT

The technical development within geographic information management gives new conditions for acquisition, preparation, analyses and distribution of geographic information. This development effects for example ethic considerations. Therefore, it is important to consider ethical aspects within organisations that handle or manage geographic information. The use of geographic information is partly governed by law and internal rules within organisations. Nevertheless, the laws sometimes need a supplement concerning adjustments of ethics and geographic information. Some organisations have developed internal rules or policies, which regulate the use of geographic information. However, many organisations have no internal rules, which force the staff to decide which analyses and presentations that ought to be done and which data that can be handed out. The increased use and distribution of geographic information faces great responsibility on the staff, who have control and responsibility for the information.

All authorities that ULI has interviewed as well as the majority of the informants that have responded to ULI´s enquiry, consider ethics as an important issue within geographic information. The interviewed authorities have described situations where geographic information can hold sensitive ethic aspects or be used in a way that can cause damage or harm. For example, the possibility to use collected information for other purposes than planned. The geographic information can also be sensitive, if it is combined with other information or if it contains personal information. Data are distributed in different ways depending on the character of the information and considering law. Different persons within the authorities decide about handing out the information, depending on which authority. Despite existing laws, many authorities consider that the distribution of data should be regulated through policies, guidelines or written advises on how to act in different situations. Nevertheless, the majority of the informants consider that most parts already are adjusted by law, although some laws could need to be made clear to facilitate their practical use. The need for increasing consciousness and illustrating the diversity of these issues is emphasised.

A number of examples present how some organisations handle ethics and geographic information. From these examples, ULI has performed an enquiry. 160 persons answered the enquiry and judged the examples from their individual point of view. The majority (58%) indicates that their organisations handle information that can be considered sensitive in an ethic point of view. Only a minority (21%) indicates that they work for organisations that have policies including ethical aspects. Issues about ethics and morals are difficult. What one person finds normal - right or true - might not be the case for another. Many times the organisations are not even aware that they make ethic or moral choices. Other organisations have a more deliberate attitude and develop ethic rules on how to govern their activities. These rules must be developed with the awareness that they never can direct, just be a support and basis for discussions.

Författare: Mia Andersson, ULI
Pris exkl. moms: ULIs medlemspris: 100 kr, Ordinarie pris: 200 kr.
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