Data Governance Task Force - Professor Anthony Luppino
In an era where personal data drives decision-making across the globe, local governments – cities and counties – are under increasing pressure to manage, protect, and utilize this data responsibly. The MetroLab Network's Data Governance and Policy Guide, an initiative stemming from the LTL-supported project "Smart Cities: Data Handling and Privacy" led by Professor Luppino at UMKC School of Law, serves as a comprehensive compass for these governments to navigate the complex terrain of data governance.
Why the Need for Such a Guide?
The collection of data by governments and third parties is ubiquitous and often escapes the consciousness of everyday life. Though not inherently harmful, the pervasiveness of data collection highlights a pressing need to standardize data governance approaches. The Guide, produced by the MetroLab Network Data Governance Task Force, aims to empower local governments to:
- Harness data for efficient public service delivery.
- Protect the public from potential data misuse.
The Guide's Core Intent
- A Useful Tool: It's a hands-on instrument for practitioners, developed with insights from academia and other organizations with relevant expertise.
- A Living Document: Continuously updated on the MetroLab Network website, the Guide keeps pace with swiftly changing data technologies.
- A Legal Reminder: It underscores the legal aspects of data governance. Importantly, however, the Guide is not a replacement for legal counsel.
Scope and Limitations
The Guide addresses the governance of data owned or controlled by local governments; however, it does not discuss surveillance or artificial intelligence-specific governance.
Ethical Foundation of the Guide
Data, although intangible, can impact lives in real ways; think of large data breaches and identity theft. The Guide is anchored in the belief that while data needs protection, it can also be an instrument of positive change. Local governments have a dual responsibility – to shield individual data and to employ it to enhance public services.
The Journey to the Guide
The Guide’s genesis is closely tied to LTL’s “Smart Cities: Data Handling and Privacy” project, which received support from the MetroLab Network. In fact, LTL’s collaborative efforts with the MetroLab Network at its annual Summit in 2019 produced a draft of the Model Data Handling Policy for Municipalities.
After a pause due to COVID-19, MetroLab Network’s 2022 Summit established a Task Force, of which the LTL is a part, that laid the groundwork for its central output: the Model Data Governance Policy & Practice Guide for Cities and Counties. Currently under development, this Guide promises a comprehensive repository of policy recommendations and resources, including privacy principles, data-sharing policies, sample documents, checklists, and protocols addressing the myriad data governance challenges faced by U.S. cities and counties.
Contribute and Collaborate
The MetroLab Network welcomes feedback and insights on the Guide and the Resources Library. For those keen to contribute, suggestions can be mailed to
Ultimately, in a world brimming with data, the MetroLab Network’s Data Governance and Policy Guide offers local governments a reliable roadmap to data governance, merging protection with progress.