Election observers adopt Principles and Guidance for Observing Personal Data Use in Elections

"Last week marked the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Principles (DoP) for International Election Observation. Over 50 endorsing election observation organisations representing all regions of the world met at the United Nations to reaffirm their commitment to supporting genuine democratic elections and to the principles for international election observation as set forth in the Declaration."

"Reflecting on the increasing role played by personal data and data-intensive technologies in the election cycle, they also published Principles and Guidance for Observing Personal Data Use in Elections. These principles cover the role of personal data in political campaigns as well as in the administration of elections. As they rightly note, "personal data is increasingly a political commodity, and can be bought, sold, traded, and - in some cases - stolen, to contest elections and at times to gain competitive advantage"."

"Further, "advancements in data systems, biometrics and other technology in election administration means that election management bodies are collecting and managing large amounts of sensitive personal data. This requires clear and transparent safeguards to ensure that information is managed responsibly, securely, in line with open data standards, and resistant to political pressures and bias.""

Endorsing election observation organisations marked the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and met at the United Nations to reaffirm commitment to democratic elections. They published Principles and Guidance for Observing Personal Data Use in Elections to address the growing role of personal data and data-intensive technologies across the election cycle. The guidance covers personal data use in political campaigns and election administration, highlights risks of personal data as a political commodity, and calls for clear, transparent safeguards for sensitive electoral data. Major international observers recognize the need to scrutinize regulation and use of personal data and technologies during elections.

Read at Privacy International