Paper Number
ICIS2025-1609
Paper Type
Short
Abstract
This research explored ethical dilemmas faced by refugees when navigating humanitarian digital platforms during crises. Through interviews and prototype evaluations with Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland, we identify two fundamental ethical dilemmas: Data Privacy vs. Service Access for Survival and Convenience vs. Empowerment. Our findings reveal that refugees experience intensified ethical tensions when compelled to choose between surrendering personal data and accessing vital services, or between algorithmic efficiency and personal agency. Based on these insights, we developed four design principles: Tiered Privacy Control, Participatory Algorithmic Governance, Human in the Loop Verification, and Community Support Recognition. This study contributes to information systems literature by foregrounding vulnerable users' perspectives and providing actionable design principles to create more ethical and inclusive digital platforms for humanitarian response.
Recommended Citation
Tang, Renjun; Miscione, Gianluca; Katashinskaya, Zoya; and Zavolokina, Liudmila, "Listening to Refugee Voices by foregrounding their Ethical Dilemmas in Digital Platform" (2025). ICIS 2025 Proceedings. 6.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2025/is_good/is_good/6
Listening to Refugee Voices by foregrounding their Ethical Dilemmas in Digital Platform
This research explored ethical dilemmas faced by refugees when navigating humanitarian digital platforms during crises. Through interviews and prototype evaluations with Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland, we identify two fundamental ethical dilemmas: Data Privacy vs. Service Access for Survival and Convenience vs. Empowerment. Our findings reveal that refugees experience intensified ethical tensions when compelled to choose between surrendering personal data and accessing vital services, or between algorithmic efficiency and personal agency. Based on these insights, we developed four design principles: Tiered Privacy Control, Participatory Algorithmic Governance, Human in the Loop Verification, and Community Support Recognition. This study contributes to information systems literature by foregrounding vulnerable users' perspectives and providing actionable design principles to create more ethical and inclusive digital platforms for humanitarian response.
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06-SocialGood