I’ve written a briefing note on the social impact of the National Data Strategy. I would like to say it’s short but unfortunately it’s 6000 words long. There’s a very short Medium post though: https://rachelcoldicutt.medium.com/policy-briefing-note-for-the-uk-national-data-strategy-3e7a17f0c55e

The object of the note is to help people answer Q3 of the consultation, on the impact of the strategy for people with protected characteristics. The tl;dr is that the National Data Strategy risks centralising power and entrenching many structural biases.

In my analysis, the National Data Strategy is important for everyone because it is about power and decision making. The term “data” makes it sound like a technical document, but it is sociotechnical, with broad social and economic implications.

I have made 4 draft recommendations, including appointing specialist Data Commissioners with meaningful powers, to champion minoritised groups.

If you would like to help improve these, or contribute to a co-ordinate response to the strategy, details are on the Medium post.