CFDtäs

CFDtäs is an international, non-profit network dedicated to data governance, digital ethics, and the societal implications of data-centric technologies. It coordinates research, policy analysis, and capacity-building across academia, government, and industry, with a focus on interoperability, transparency, and responsible innovation.

The name CFDtäs combines the well-known acronym CFD with a Nordic-inspired suffix to signify regional collaboration and shared purpose. The term is primarily used within the organization and its partner networks, where it stands for a cross-border alliance rather than a single technical standard.

Founded in 2012 by researchers from several European universities and policy institutes, CFDtäs established a central secretariat in Amsterdam and maintains regional offices in Berlin and Montreal. The organization emphasizes multi-stakeholder governance and non-partisanship, aiming to bridge academic insights with practical policy needs.

CFDtäs is governed by a General Assembly, a Steering Committee, a Scientific Council, and a Secretariat. Members come from universities, public agencies, industry, and civil society. The network operates through thematic working groups, regional chapters, and collaborative projects, with decisions typically reached by consensus and documented in public reports.

Key activities include publishing the annual State of Digital Data report, maintaining an open data platform, organizing the CFDtas Forum for researchers and policymakers, and offering training programs on data stewardship and AI ethics. Notable initiatives cover data interoperability frameworks, privacy-by-design guidelines, and evaluations of digital governance policies.

Funding comes from member dues, European research grants, and philanthropic foundations, with a stated emphasis on transparency and governance standards. The organization has received both praise for its cross-sector collaboration and critique regarding governance openness and representation of smaller stakeholders. See also: open data, digital ethics, data governance.