Whenever data is used – even when there is great benefit for people and communities – there is a risk that individuals or groups are harmed. While it is important to reduce risks as much as possible, it is also important to acknowledge that harms might still occur – and that people who have experienced harm receive adequate support and compensation. Today, people and communities who are disadvantaged because of data use are often left without such support, for various reasons: Harm can occur without any laws being broken, or without the harmed party being able to pinpoint who exactly caused the harm. The more data is shared and linked, and the less transparent these processes are, the more difficult it becomes for people to identify what or who is responsible for the harm they experienced. Finally, some people do not have access to legal remedies because they lack the social and economic resources to use them. This virtual workshop will give an overview of the concept of harm mitigation, and bring together a variety of experts in data governance and policy to discuss specific approaches, such as the establishment of Harm Mitigation Bodies. The programme for the event is available here.

When: Wednesday 27 November 2024, 14:00-16:00 (CET)
Where: Online via Zoom. Please contact Connor Hogan at connor.hogan@univie.ac.at if you are interested in attending.