Seminar from the ESRC

Administrative databases that are linked with each other or with survey data can allow deeper insights into the population’s life trajectories and needs and signal opportunities for improved and ultimately more personalised service delivery. Yet government agencies have to meet several prerequisites to realise these benefits. First among them is a stable legal basis. Appropriate laws and regulations have to exist to allow data merging within the limits of existing privacy protection. When different institutions are involved, these regulations have to clearly define each agencies’ responsibilities in collecting, safeguarding and analysing data. Second are technical requirements. This includes creating a safe infrastructure for data storage and analysis and developing algorithms to match individuals when databases do not share common unique personal identifiers. Third is the buy-in of the population. Public communication can highlight the value-added of linked databases and outline the steps taken to ensure data security and privacy. Involving citizens in dialogues about what data uses they are and are not comfortable with can help build public trust that appropriate limits are set and respected.

Speaker: Emma Gordon, Director