Author: Aaron Gavzy
Publisher: RTInsights
Publication Year: 2021
Summary: The following article explores the issue of data ethics from a less common perspective. Instead of providing the usual code of ethics for data analysts and businesses, the author asks a more intriguing question: “Is every question worth exploring with data?” He raises examples from the healthcare and education industries and argues that any inquiry into these questions is unethical to begin with, regardless of how the topic itself is explored. For example, should the university select students based on their predisposition to donate to the university itself? Can they use the demographic data of this student to make such a decision? Another question is about patient care. Should hospitals use the predicted outcome of an insurance claim against the hospital to decide what treatment to provide and to whom? Overall, the article raises some interesting points about the ethical use of data from a rarely discussed perspective.