It’s impossible to talk about digital services today without talking about data. We talk constantly about the pros and cons, the dangers and benefits... but do we talk enough about what data actually is?
Fostering a deeper understanding of the data ecosystem is just one in a series of efforts needed in order to ensure that people are truly educated about their data.
With digital services growing in both adoption and complexity, the industry has a collective responsibility to go beyond notifications. Instead, we must strive to embed ongoing education in products and services.
As data and privacy become leading topics in the global dialogue of digital services, being transparent about how data is used in digital products is increasingly vital to gaining trust with all audiences.
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I put all my pictures on Facebook so my friends will see. If they’re private, then no one will see them... what’s the point?
Umar
The primary experience can easily break when educational messages are simply bolted on. Embedding information in context means it can be accessed if it is relevant without disrupting the main experience.
For example, the default of managing settings on a service or brand level is blunt and abstract. When educational information can be accessed in-line with the content, people can quickly find relevant settings and information without disrupting the main experience.
In most cases, there are trade-offs to consider before people can decide if and how they want to share their data. To make sense of unfamiliar digital experiences, people often rely on real-life contexts as a point of reference for what terms seem fair and reasonable.
As opposed to people accessing data settings on a service level, they can be tied to different use cases to make the rationale behind the data use easier to understand.
Demonstrate the effect with previews and visualisation. To be able to weigh whether to share or withhold their data, people want to understand the consequences of their options. One way of doing this is by showing people how their decisions affect their user experience, for example with a preview of content that is available only when data is shared.
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I know I could do a lot more on Facebook, but it all seems complicated and I’m fine with just seeing photos.
Linda
New Delhi Design Jam: Data transparency and notification 
TTC Labs has been researching data education and awareness.
We are bringing together industry, policymakers, regulators and civil society to generate applied insights and principles.
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