The centrality of data equity in tech policy and reform

The pandemic saw the world go digital. While the Personal Data Protection Bill awaits final enactment in Parliament, the non-personal data committee released a report in January 2021 shedding light on the types of NPD that may be collected. Second, data equity widens the terms of the debate in a “data-fied” society, for example the embedding and introduction of disparities, decision-making powered by biased data leading to ostracism of certain groups, disintegrating working conditions, or the dehumanisation of decision-making Third, this discourse pushes digital infrastructure to engage more categorically with questions of inclusive power and responsible politics, in addition to established notions or principles of sovereignty, trust, accountability, governance and citizenship. We should use data equity as a form of critique, a blueprint of how data-driven developments counter age-old struggles against social, economic, political-cultural, opportunities and skill inequality, suppression and abuse. Ensuring data equity serves as a critical avenue to seek reforms that can better endorse impartiality and justice.