The Data Fix with Dr. Mél Hogan Mundane, with Wendy H. Wong
Mar 30, 2026
Wendy H. Wong, political science professor and author focused on data governance and human rights, joins to unpack how everyday data collection shapes autonomy and dignity. Short takes touch on why so-called raw data is not neutral, how mundane behaviors become monetized, big tech acting like de facto governors, sticky data that follows us, and who should be accountable for digital rulemaking.
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Why Datification Is A Human Rights Issue
- Datification is a human rights issue because data now describe who we are and how we live, not just neutral records.
- Wendy H. Wong links four core human rights values—autonomy, dignity, equality, community—to harms and benefits of digital data collection.
Raw Data Is An Oxymoron
- There is no such thing as raw data because every act of data creation involves choices about what to observe and how to record it.
- Wong uses the example of collecting leaf traits to show how researchers' choices shape datasets and meanings.
How Data Become Valuable
- Data are framed both as worthless 'exhaust' and as highly valuable because systems convert behavioral traces into profit.
- Wong highlights examples like ad ecosystems and app location data being repurposed for immigration enforcement.
