Data ethics in the digital creative industries: Encouraging self-reflection and best practices

Data-driven innovation offers incredible opportunities for the creative industries; however, it also raises complex questions and potential risks in terms of privacy, ethical business and employment practices, environmental impacts, and moral and civic responsibilities. There are often tensions between economic and creative pressures and opportunities and the need to engage with legal and ethical approaches which can minimise risk, ensure compliance, and also make a positive contribution to society. Given the rapidly changing nature of the application of technology in the creative industries, this chapter outlines key considerations, provides pointers to further resources, and frames guidance on data ethics to those using and developing with data within the creative industries. We stress that any creative activity – even an individual one – is part of a wider community and that it is the responsibility of those creating, using, analysing, and transforming data to ensure that they consider how data is collected, used, and reused; consent and privacy; data storage and information security; inclusive design; ethical business and employment practices; and the social and environmental impacts of data-led activities. Through a number of key examples, we recommend that a critical, self-assessment approach can ensure regular reflection and adaptation to a developing and changing area and introduce our self-assessment framework while stressing the need for accountability. We report on important themes which are emerging surrounding the approach to data ethics within the creative industries. Finally, we suggest that a reflective data ethics approach should become embedded into creative practice that involves any aspect of data to minimise unintentional harms in the production of new products and services.