Ethics in official statistics : foundations and practices to foster public trust

Abstract

This document explores the critical role of ethics in modern statistical organizations, providing a comprehensive framework for navigating ethical dilemmas in various stages of the production process. It emphasizes the growing importance of ethical standards in the age of big data, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making, where the stakes are high and the potential for misuse is significant.

The key topics covered in the document include:

• Ethical principles in statistical practice: The document outlines core ethical principles, such as integrity, transparency, confidentiality and accountability, and their relation to law, quality, professional ethics guidance, and how they should guide statistical work and help develop a mindset about ethical statistical practice. This highlights that there is a distinction between what we can do with data (what is legal) and what we should do with data (what is ethical) - just because something is allowed by law does not mean it constitutes ethical statistical practice.

• Ethical considerations: The document examines ethical considerations throughout the production process using the framework of GSBPM and support infrastructure in the statistical organizations using GAMSO. As statistical organizations increasingly incorporate diverse data sources, the document stresses the critical importance of privacy, confidentiality and security as core ethical concerns, with particular focus on regulations like GDPR and ethical considerations for data anonymization. It also highlights ethical considerations related to communication, providing key principles of ethical communication to stakeholders and the public, including examples of communicating ethical values to the public. Given that the field of statistics evolves with technological advancements, the document discusses emerging ethical challenges in areas such as machine learning, AI, cloud and quantum computing.

• Ethics management and organizational culture: The document outlines key elements and tools of an effective ethics management system, highlighting the importance of training, communication. It delves into ethics governance, which encompasses the principles, policies and practices that guide an organization’s decision-making process. A strong ethical policy is built on a solid values statement, a comprehensive code of ethics, and a clear code of conduct.

• Ethical dilemmas: As statistical organizations engage with new data sources and adopt new roles in data ecosystems, they may face complex situations where values and ethical principles must be carefully balanced. Addressing these dilemmas is crucial for maintaining trust, fairness, and integrity in day-to-day processes and the production of official statistics. The document presents real-world cases from various NSOs along with practical frameworks and decisionmaking tools applied to these situations to ensure that their work aligns with both professional standards and societal values.

By providing actionable insights and concrete examples, the Ethics in Official Statistics serves as a vital resource for statisticians, data scientists, researchers and organizational leaders who seek to uphold ethical standards while navigating the complexities of modern data use. It aims to foster a culture of ethical responsibility within statistical organizations and ensure that their work contributes positively to society.