Data Use Policy (“Data Bill of Rights”)

Gathering Data

1. We will only gather data which we are legally allowed to obtain.
2. We will only gather data that we don’t already have.
3. We will only gather data for which we have an explicit, planned use.
4. We will only gather data from reliable sources.
5. We will only gather data when we have a confirmation process created to verify its accuracy.
6. We will only gather data when we have built a mechanism to verify its timeliness (when it was obtained, when we re-verify its accuracy).

Updating Data

1. We will display all data that we currently have.
2. We will verify data past its expiration date.
3. We will update data only from those sources who are permitted to make changes.
4. We will update our records when opportunities exist (i.e. as the result of a contact).

Using Data

1. We will contact the fewest number of people we can each time we use data.
2. We won’t share data that doesn’t need to be shared or published.
3. We will not keep data past its useful or legal life.