Gagnanotkun

Gagnanotkun is an Icelandic term referring to the deliberate use of information and data to create value, inform decisions, and drive innovation. The word combines gagn (benefit, advantage) and notkun (use).

Used widely in public and private sectors, gagnanotkun encompasses data collection, storage, processing, analysis and sharing with the aim of producing societal or organizational benefits while respecting individuals' rights and applicable law.

Common applications include optimizing public services, supporting evidence-based policy, improving products and operations, and enabling research. In health care, for instance, anonymized or de-identified data may be used to study disease patterns without compromising patient privacy.

Principles that accompany gagnanotkun include consent or legitimate interest, transparency about how data is used, purpose limitation, data minimization, privacy by design, data quality, security, and accountability. Effective governance typically relies on data governance frameworks, ethical review, data stewardship, and impact assessments, alongside compliance with data protection rules such as the GDPR.

Challenges include ensuring data quality and avoiding bias or discrimination, safeguarding privacy, preventing misuse, and maintaining cybersecurity. The balance between public benefit and individual rights remains central, prompting ongoing debates about governance, governance models, and lines between data use and surveillance.

See also: data protection, data ethics, data governance, data privacy, data analytics.