Page 25 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies Migration data management insights

managed, and utilized (Heeks & Renken, 2018). By standardization issues, privacy concerns, technological
establishing standards for evaluating these practices, data limitations, political influences, and inter-agency
justice seeks to promote a more equitable distribution of coordination difficulties. The following is a comprehensive
benefits and burdens associated with data use. analysis of these challenges.
Scholars specializing in fundamental rights have One of the primary challenges in managing migration
predominantly relied on the legal foundations provided data is the inconsistency in data collection methods
by the right to respect for private life and the right to across different countries and organizations. Various
protection of personal data as essential frameworks for entities may use different definitions, classifications, and
constraining the authority of both governmental entities methodologies for collecting migration statistics (Ahmad
and humanitarian organizations (Kuner & Marelli, 2020). Yar & Bircan, 2023). This lack of standardization can
This perspective emphasizes the necessity of safeguarding lead to discrepancies in data quality and comparability.
individual privacy and personal information against For instance, some countries may categorize migrants
potential overreach by state mechanisms, as well as ensuring based on their legal status (e.g., refugees, asylum seekers,
that non-governmental actors adhere to similar standards or economic migrants), while others may focus on
of respect for personal autonomy and data integrity. demographic factors such as age or gender.

Jasmontaite-Zaniewicz & Zomignani Barboza (2021) The management of migration data often involves
critically analyze the European Union’s data protection sensitive personal information about individuals. Ensuring
framework, questioning its efficacy in safeguarding privacy the privacy and security of this data is paramount,
rights within European asylum processes amid emerging especially given the potential for misuse or unauthorized
technologies like social media screening, AI applications, and access. Understanding long-term migration trends
secure digital environments. They argue for a reevaluation requires longitudinal studies that track individuals over
of existing legal protections to address technological time; however, maintaining contact with migrants can be
complexities, emphasizing that the European Convention difficult due to mobility patterns or changes in contact
on Human Rights and the European Union Charter information (Ryan & D’Angelo, 2018). This complicates
of Fundamental Rights require proportionality in any efforts to gather comprehensive datasets that reflect
interference with private life and data protection, ensuring ongoing migratory processes.
restrictions are necessary, appropriate, and not excessive Interpreting migration data accurately poses its own set
relative to legitimate aims. Their analysis stresses that of challenges due to biases that may exist within datasets
governance measures must be justified by compelling public or among those analyzing them (Franklinos et al., 2021).
policy objectives that outweigh individual rights, highlighting Misinterpretation can lead to misguided policies that do
tensions between innovation and fundamental freedoms in not address the actual needs or realities faced by migrant
asylum contexts. Such justifications often arise in contexts populations.
where national security concerns or the imperative to prevent
social disorder take precedence over personal liberties. The challenges associated with capturing comprehensive
Similarly, in their recent study, Bolhuis & Van Wijk (2021) data on international migration trajectories are significant,
conducted a comprehensive examination of the practice of as current datasets often fall short. To address these issues
smartphone data extraction across five European nations, Kahanec & Zimmermann (2009) suggest that this can be
focusing on both the existing legal frameworks governing achieved by adopting a longitudinal approach to monitor
such practices and the perceptions held by 43 practitioners changes over time, ensuring comprehensive surveys
actively engaged in this field. Their research highlights the that capture migrants’ characteristics while balancing
complexities surrounding smartphone data extraction, privacy with data utility, enhancing existing surveys with
particularly regarding privacy concerns and the varying specific immigrant-focused questions, utilizing modern
interpretations of legality among different jurisdictions. technologies for centralized data management, and
By analyzing qualitative data gathered from practitioners, prioritizing access to this data for research and policy
they provide insights into how these professionals navigate development.
the ethical dilemmas posed by social media vetting while
adhering to national laws and regulations. 4. New opportunities in migration data
research
3. Challenges in managing migration data
The assessment and prediction of migration trends
Managing migration data involves navigating a landscape hold significant relevance for comprehending wider
fraught with challenges related to collection methods, demographic shifts, formulating effective policy measures,

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 19 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.6846