Aspen Digital

The Challenge: Rethinking Data Practices to Advance Equity

Too often, default approaches to demographic data collection fall short—whether by reinforcing biases, segmenting in ways that don’t provide meaningful insights, or relying on methods that render the data unreliable for statistical analysis. If practitioners do not take informed actions to prevent harm, data can perpetuate the very inequities we seek to mitigate. How can product teams harness data to drive more equitable outcomes, rather than deepen existing disparities?

The Solution: Collaborative Guidelines for Responsible Data in Product Equity

To address this challenge, Aspen Digital, a policy program of the Aspen Institute, has convened the Product Equity Working Group, a coalition of leading industry technologists, civil society leaders, top academics, and leaders from systemically marginalized communities, to rethink responsible data practices for product equity.

After two years of collaboration, we’re excited to introduce the Primer on Responsible Data Practices in Product Equity—a guide designed to help teams navigate the complexities of ethical data collection and use in product development.

Why Responsible Data Practices Matter

Technology has the power to foster inclusivity, fairness, and meaningful impact—but only if it’s built with a deep understanding of the diverse identities, contexts, and lived realities that shape how people interact with products. This can be achieved through approaches like participatory user research, focus groups, and, of course, thoughtful data collection.

The Primer on Responsible Practices for Product Equity introduces how and when to intentionally collect and use data—not just to mitigate biases and eliminate harm, but also to create positive experiences through technology. 

What’s Inside the Primer?

1. An introduction to using data to advance Product Equity: Understanding why it matters and how teams can integrate equity into data-driven decisions.
2. An overview of responsible data practices, covering key stages like:
   • Before data collection – setting clear use cases, aligning with privacy policies, conducting equity assessments, and ensuring safeguards.
   • During Data Collection – ensuring transparency, obtaining informed consent, providing anonymity, and offering an opt-out.

Explore More Expert Research on Responsible Data in Product Equity

Key to the success of this work is the collaborative network that Aspen Digital fosters. The Primer on Responsible Data Practices in Product Equity builds on the insights and contributions of leading organizations and experts dedicated to advancing responsible data practices.

For deeper exploration, check out these key reports highlighted in the primer:

• Center for Democracy and Technology: Navigating Demographic Measurement for Fairness and Equity
• Partnership on AI: Prioritizing Equity in Algorithmic Systems through Inclusive Data Guidelines 

These resources offer valuable frameworks and recommendations for teams working on AI systems looking to integrate ethical data practices into their work.

Interested in Contributing To This Work?

We invite you to collaborate with the Product Equity Working Group to help shape industry-wide best practices. Through collective effort, we can accelerate change and work toward a future where more people have access to all that tech has to offer. 

If you are interested in joining the Product Equity Working Group, please email us at TechAccountabilityCoalition@AspenInstitute.org.