The preeminent global information policy think tank, creating collaborative policy development, scholarship and education, working with all stakeholders on strategies fit for 2030.
The Information Accountability Foundation (IAF) is focused on complex global policy issues, fostering effective and accountable information governance systems, while facilitating a trusted digital ecosystem that serves people and is respectful of their fundamental right to fair processing.
Read the IAF 2021 Highlights and 2022 Policy Directions Report
- We believe it’s critical that organizations are able to think with data and engage in knowledge discovery and creation in order to achieve a trusted global digital ecosystem.
- We believe that to be trusted, organizations must be accountable, responsible and answerable, and be prepared to demonstrate their accountability.
- We believe that frameworks based on risk assessment and effective data governance enable beneficial, data-driven innovation while protecting individuals and society from the potential harms that may arise from data processing in the digital age.
Model Data Protection Law Fit for 2030-
The IAF is working with stakeholders in all jurisdictions to develop fair processing law, based on accountablity, that facilitates data-driven innovation. That work includes the IAF Model Legislation, the FAIR AND OPEN USE ACT for the United States, our work with policymakers in other countries, and at international policy organizations such as the OECD and APEC.
Safe Pathways for Using Data to Create New Knowledge
Innovation is increasingly driven by new insights that come with the processing of data pertaining to people. Thinking with data and discovery through AI and data-driven research is the future for almost all institutions, from fighting disease to making markets fairer. The IAF work on ethical data assessment processes and how they may be overseen is part of this initiative.
Free Movement of Data Globally
Shrems II has elevated complexity and uncertainty for all types of organizations. Adding to Schrems II data transfer requirements are the data localization requirements in China, India, and other jurisdictions. The IAF sees the need to identify the probability of different risk impacts to recognized human interests such as employment, describing those scenarios in our papers on HR data and Schrems II. Ultimately the solution lies in global agreements for accountability when governments request and use of data created by the public sector. There are paths forward at the G7 and the OECD. The global effort is underway at the OECD, and the IAF is involved as an expert contributor.