Ethical Web Data Collection Initiative (EWDCI)

The Ethical Web Data Collection Initiative (EWDCI) is a global, industry-led group advancing responsible data aggregation. We are defining best practices, promoting transparency, and helping organizations ethically navigate the digital ecosystem.

What we do:

• Advocate for responsible web data collection and ethical handling of personal data

• Educate the industry with resources and tools for ethical data collection

• Promote Trust through transparency and accountability

• Drive Innovation in ethical web technologies

• Safeguard Online Safety with proactive industry standards
  

EWDCI Certification: A Signal to the World

The release of the EWDCI Principles marks a major step forward for responsible web data collection. Organizations that commit to these values can now earn the EWDCI Certified designation—a visible symbol of ethical integrity and industry leadership.

Displaying the EWDCI Trust Seal on your website communicates to partners, customers, and the broader public that your company meets rigorous standards in transparency, accountability, and privacy-first data practices. It affirms that you respect digital boundaries and contribute to shaping a healthy data ecosystem.

If your organization practices web data collection and is ready to align with these industry-defining principles, contact us below to begin your certification process.

The EWDCI Principles: Our Ethical Foundation

Our framework is grounded in seven core principles:

1. Transparency by Design
2. Respect for Digital Boundaries
3. Accountability and Responsibility
4. Privacy-Forward Practices
5. Commitment to Fair Use
6. Community and Industry Collaboration
7. Continuous Ethical Evolution

Download the EWDCI Principles

By adopting and demonstrating these values, members of the EWDCI signal their dedication to building a transparent, ethical, and innovative future for web data collection.

About EWDCI + i2Coalition

The Ethical Web Data Collection Initiative (EWDCI) seeks to foster cooperation in the web data collection and aggregation industry and leverage collective first-hand knowledge and insights to advocate for beneficial technical standards and business best practices regarding the aggregation of data. The EWDCI is dedicated to serving as the voice of the industry, collaboratively strengthening public trust in the practice of Data Aggregation, promoting ethical guidelines, and helping businesses make informed data aggregation choices. 

The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition, i2C) is the leading voice for web hosting companies, data centers, domain registrars and registries, cloud infrastructure providers, managed services providers, and related tech. The i2C works with Internet infrastructure providers to advocate for sensible policies, design and reinforce best practices, help create industry standards, and build awareness of how the Internet works. The i2Coalition also spearheaded the creation of the VPN Trust Initiative, which determined and promoted best practices for that vital industry.

Participating Members and Brands

If you work in the field of data collection and are dedicated to establishing best practices, we invite you to join us and help shape this initiative’s early efforts.

“The EWDCI aims to reach companies with this message of ethical data aggregation, as well as to educate consumers at large and legislators worldwide in the interest of informed, empowered action. This will promote industry-led stewardship of important—and already widely adopted—technology in the interest of solving any present challenges and setting the industry up for forthcoming success.”
— Christian Dawson
    Executive Director, i2Coalition