Introduction to Refusal in Data Ethics
The concept of refusal is becoming increasingly important in the field of data ethics. MIT graduate student Jonathan Zong and his co-author J. Nathan Matias have been exploring how refusal can be used to open up new avenues in this field. In their recent report, "Data Refusal From Below: A Framework for Understanding, Evaluating, and Envisioning Refusal as Design," they propose a framework for understanding and evaluating refusal.
What is Refusal?
Refusal is the act of saying "no" to technology misuses, without being given permission to do so. This concept was developed in feminist and Indigenous studies, where scholars like Ruha Benjamin have written about refusal in the context of surveillance, race, and bioethics. Refusal is not just about rejecting specific options, but also about challenging the entire set of choices presented.
The Inspiration Behind Refusal as an Act of Design
Jonathan Zong’s work on data ethics led him to the concept of refusal. He realized that simply making choices available is not enough, and that refusal can be a powerful way to redesign our socio-technical landscape. By applying a design framework to cases of refusal, Zong and Matias aim to establish a common language for talking about refusal and to imagine new forms of refusal that haven’t been explored yet.
The Stakes Around Data Privacy and Data Collection
The use of data for facial recognition surveillance is a big example of the stakes around data privacy and collection. When people post on social media or walk past cameras in public spaces, they may be contributing their data to training facial recognition systems. These systems are disproportionately used by police to surveil communities of color, making it difficult for individuals to opt out of these processes. Refusal becomes a crucial avenue for individuals and communities to exert some kind of voice or agency.
Why Refusal is Important for Disempowered Communities
Refusal is particularly important for disempowered communities, who are often excluded from the design process for technologies that affect them. By taking actions against technologies like face surveillance, individuals and communities can express their values and priorities, even if they are not part of the conventional design process.
A Design Framework for Refusal
Zong and Matias propose a framework for refusal that consists of four facets: autonomy, time, power, and cost. This framework helps to evaluate and compare different forms of refusal, and to identify commonalities and differences. By using this framework, individuals and communities can develop new forms of refusal that are tailored to their specific needs and contexts.
The Impact of Refusal on Design
The concept of refusal has the potential to expand the notion of who can participate in design, and whose actions are seen as legitimate expressions of design input. By embracing refusal as a legitimate form of design, designers and computer scientists can create more inclusive and equitable systems. The framework for refusal can also inspire new forms of refusal that can shape the behavior of data collectors and create alternate futures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the concept of refusal is a powerful tool for individuals and communities to exert agency and challenge the status quo in the field of data ethics. By applying a design framework to refusal, we can develop new forms of refusal that are tailored to specific needs and contexts. As we move forward, it is essential to recognize the importance of refusal as a legitimate form of design, and to create more inclusive and equitable systems that prioritize the needs and values of all individuals and communities.
