Publications
Data Ethics Commission
Article IT & Internet policy
The Data Ethics Commission began its work on 4 September 2018
The use of algorithms and artificial intelligence as well as the handling of data holds enormous potential. But at the same time, it raises numerous ethical and legal questions. The task of the Federal Government’s Data Ethics Commission (“Datenethikkommission”) will be to build on scientific and technical expertise in developing ethical guidelines for the protection of the individual, the preservation of social cohesion, and the safeguarding and promotion of prosperity in the information age. It has until autumn 2019 to provide the Federal Government’s lead ministries in this area – the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection – with recommendations for action and suggestions for possible legislation.
Mission and Key Questions
New data-driven technologies offer major opportunities for people’s everyday lives and can generate benefits for business, research and society as a whole. Nonetheless, digitalisation is also perceived as bringing certain risks. How is it changing everyday life, business and society in general? What role do we want new technologies to assume in future? What ethical limits apply to the use of algorithmic prognosis and decision-making systems and other data-driven business models?
The answers to such questions need to take account of numerous perspectives – including technical, ethical, legal and sociological aspects. In order to ensure that all these different viewpoints are properly represented within an inclusive discussion about our future, the governing parties pledged in their coalition agreement to establish a Data Ethics Commission for the Federal Government:
"We will promptly set up a Data Ethics Commission that within one year will provide the Government and Parliament with a framework on how to develop data policy and deal with algorithms, artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Resolving data ethics questions can add impetus to the process of digital evolution and can help define an approach for overcoming social conflicts within the area of data policy."
The Data Ethics Commission began its work on 4 September 2018. The Federal Government presented the Data Ethics Commission with a number of key questions (“Leitfragen”). These questions define the parameters within which the Data Ethics Commission will draw up its independent report on its own authority.
Members
On 18 July 2018, the following 16 people were appointed to the Data Ethics Commission by the Federal Government:
- Johanna Haberer
- Marit Hansen
- Dirk Heckmann
- Dieter Kempf
- Mario Martini
- Klaus Müller
- Paul Nemitz
- Sabine Sachweh
- Christin Schäfer
- Rolf Schwartmann
- Judith Simon
- Andrea Voßhoff
- Wolfgang Wahlster
- Christiane Wendehorst (co-spokesperson)
- Thomas Wischmeyer
- Christiane Woopen (co-spokesperson)
Timeline and Agenda
The Data Ethics Commission usually convenes monthly on a non-public basis in the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community or the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. Public participation is foreseen in public meetings. Public meetings are planned for February and May 2019.
Work Results
The Data Ethics Commission is an independent expert body which operates on its own authority. A secretariat is run by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. The Data Ethics Commission is expected to present its final report at the end of October 2019. Recommendations and any interim results will be published here.
