Humanitarian organizations' information practices: Procedures and privacy concerns for serving the undocumented. Issue 1 (10th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vannini, Sara; Gomez, Ricardo; Lopez, Diane; Mora, Sigifredo; Morrison, Julia Clare; Tanner, Julee; Youkhana, Lena; Vergara, Genoveva; del Mar Moreno Tafurt, Maria
• Is Part Of: Electronic journal on information systems in developing countries. Volume 86:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-07-10
• Subjects: data justice -- data privacy -- data security -- humanitarian organizations -- migration; Management information systems -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Economic aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Social aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions; Economic history; High technology industries; Information technology -- Economic aspects; Information technology -- Social aspects; Management information systems; Developing countries; Periodicals; 658.4
• DOI: 10.1002/isd2.12109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1681-4835

Abstract

Abstract: Many humanitarian organizations in the United States work with the information of undocumented migrants to help them secure services that might otherwise be unattainable to them. Information and communication technologies can help their work, but can also significantly exacerbate the risks that undocumented individuals are facing, and expose them to security breakages, leaks, hacks, inadvertent disclosure, and courts requests. This study aims to provide a preliminary understanding of the information practices and systems that US humanitarian organizations employ to protect the privacy of the undocumented individuals they serve. To do so, we conducted interviews and an analysis of organizations' working documents within humanitarian organizations on the US West Coast, including advocacy groups and organizations with ties to higher education. Our outcomes show gaps between current legal standards, technology best practices, and the day‐to‐day functioning of the organizations. We contend the necessity of support to humanitarian organizations in further developing standards and training for digital privacy.