Definition

Autonomy means that people have the right to
make their own decisions.

In the context of ICT and research, this mainly refers to how people can choose what happens to their personal information — like their name, email, location, or opinions.

Allow Access Illustration
Things you should always ensure
as a researcher:
  • Have I clearly explained what data will be collected?
  • Does the participant understand how it will be managed?
  • Can they say “no” or “opt out” without feeling pressured?

When someone participates in a project or uses a digital product, they should always have a real choice:

  • Do I want to share this data?
  • Do I understand how it will be used?
  • Can I say “no” without pressure or
    negative consequences?