To democratize research with sensitive data, we should make synthetic data more accessible
- URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2404.17271v1
- Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:18:54 GMT
- Title: To democratize research with sensitive data, we should make synthetic data more accessible
- Authors: Erik-Jan van Kesteren,
- Abstract summary: Erik-Jan van Kesteren argues that in order to progress towards widespread adoption of synthetic data as a privacy enhancing technology, the data science research community should shift focus away from developing better methods.
- Score: 0.7770029179741429
- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
- Abstract: For over 30 years, synthetic data has been heralded as a promising solution to make sensitive datasets accessible. However, despite much research effort and several high-profile use-cases, the widespread adoption of synthetic data as a tool for open, accessible, reproducible research with sensitive data is still a distant dream. In this opinion, Erik-Jan van Kesteren, head of the ODISSEI Social Data Science team, argues that in order to progress towards widespread adoption of synthetic data as a privacy enhancing technology, the data science research community should shift focus away from developing better synthesis methods: instead, it should develop accessible tools, educate peers, and publish small-scale case studies.
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