In the current public health emergency environment, the ethical use of GIS to help support response to the COVID-19 pandemic is more important than ever. However, the ethical use of geographic data and of geospatial technology are not often on the mind of GIS professionals. GIS professioanls and users are guided by the GIS Code of Ethics. The American Geographical Society has started the EthicalGEO Blog, as a discussion forum related to these types of issues.
Seattle-Tacoma Airport and the city of SeaTac, with Mount Rainier in the distance
By Bernstea – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Case studies, like GIS for COVID-19 response, are a useful means for GIS professionals and GIS users to think about ethical issues and more importantly, how to respond when confronted with an ethical dilemma. Recently I wrote an EthicalGEO Blog article about a real-life case study from the Puget Sound area. Read The Practical Application of the GIS Code of Ethics – A Case Study and then share your thoughts in the comments section below about possible GIS-related ethical dilemmas and how you might respond.
GIS & You 