By Victor Baraza
Data is the new mineral in today’s digital world, it fuels innovation, drives decisions, and powers entire economies the same way gold and oil did in the past. In a world where information moves faster than ever, those who understand, collect, and use data hold the real competitive advantage.
And just like traditional minerals, the rush to control data is creating new forms of inequality and exploitation. The ones who collect and manage massive amounts of data (big tech companies, powerful institutions, and governments) often gain disproportionate power, leaving ordinary people with little control over how their information is used. This imbalance can lead to privacy violations, digital exclusion, biased systems, and decisions made about communities without their participation. In the same way mineral wealth once created winners and losers, today’s data wealth is shaping a digital world where not everyone has equal protection or opportunity.
This is where ICON Data and Learning Labs steps in, championing a fairer digital world through data literacy and Data Advocacy. By equipping individuals, communities, and organizations with the skills to understand, use, and challenge data, we ensures that data empowers everyone, not just the few. Earlier this year in Kakamega County, we hosted #IjueDataYakoII, bringing together 25 civil society organizations across Western Kenya to learn about data rights and ethical data use, fostering transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making in their communities.
#IjueDataYakoIII in 2026, collaboration is at the heart of our planning. Recently, we hosted Amnesty International Kenya for a strategic meeting focused on strengthening data governance, working closely with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Together, we reflected on the lessons from #IjueDataYakoII and explored ways to ensure that the next edition builds on shared knowledge, partnerships, and collective action, making data rights and ethical data use stronger and more inclusive across Western Kenya.
Now, it’s your turn to be part of this movement.
Every piece of data you create, share, or interact with matters. By understanding your data rights, demanding ethical practices, and advocating for responsible use, you can help shape a digital world that is fair, inclusive, and empowering for everyone. Let’s use data wisely, protect our communities, and ensure that its power benefits all, not just the few.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
