Consumers need simple and reliable ways to make their data sharing choices known; for these choices to be respected and acted on safely; and to have responsive avenues for remedy if this doesn’t occur.
Consent, in the form of consumers being able to clearly and accurately communicate their preferences and permissions to enact data sharing choices, is foundational to Australia’s CDR reform. Technology that leverages consumer data, when done respectfully and well, has benefits for both customers and business. Conversely, successful consumer outcomes from CDR will be put at risk if technology is built on “a dangerous mindset of data entitlement”. Consent is the pivot on which this risk and opportunity tips. Our stakeholder consultation suggests opportunities to strengthen CDR consent mechanisms will be facilitated by implementing policy levers that encourage mindset growth within business and data communities to actively support consumer agency and safety.
Having a framework in which consent can be done well – which CDR has worked hard to establish – is only the first step. Leveraging opportunities to generate consumer-centric data innovation and competition on consent issues that are important for consumers is where real value can be realised.
The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) was engaged by the Data Standards Body (DSB) to prepare a series of consumer research reports on how the Consumer Data Right will change the experience of Australian consumers transacting in the data economy.
This is the fourth instalment covering subjects identified as being priority topics by the DSB and CPRC, addressing issues that are of significance for government, industry and the wider community.
This report builds on indicators for effective consent identified in CPRC’s first CDR report and provides preliminary modelling for a CDR consumer outcomes measurement framework.