Data Ethics

TrueCost Index is built on a foundation of ethical data practices. These principles guide every decision we make about data collection, storage, and usage.

1. Aggregated Insights Only

We never expose individual transaction records. All insights are derived from aggregated data that cannot be traced back to any single submission. Statistical thresholds ensure that even small geographic areas maintain anonymity.

2. Privacy First

Privacy is not an afterthought — it's built into our architecture. We collect only what is necessary for benchmarking. We never collect personal identifiers. We design our systems assuming that every data point could be subject to privacy scrutiny.

3. Public Interest Orientation

TrueCost Index exists to serve the public interest. Our goal is to bring transparency to service pricing, helping consumers make informed decisions. We are not here to advantage any particular vendor, industry, or commercial interest.

4. Neutral Methodology

Our statistical methods are documented and applied consistently across all categories and regions. We do not manipulate results to favor any outcome. Our aggregation thresholds and percentile calculations follow standard statistical practices.

5. Data Minimization

We collect only what we need. No free-text fields that could accidentally capture personal information. No tracking cookies or behavioral analytics. No selling or sharing of individual-level data with third parties.

These principles are non-negotiable. If you have questions or concerns about our data practices, please contact us.