Which aspect of data ethics relates to the collection of personal information?

The aspect of data ethics that pertains to the collection of personal information centers around proper consent for data collection. This principle emphasizes the importance of obtaining explicit permission from individuals before gathering their personal data. In the context of data ethics, consent is crucial because it respects individual autonomy and privacy rights. It ensures that individuals are aware of what data is being collected, how it will be used, and who will have access to it.

When organizations collect personal information, they have a responsibility to be transparent about their intentions and to give users control over their information. This fits within the broader ethical framework that promotes trust between individuals and organizations handling their data. Proper consent protocols not only align with ethical guidelines but are also often mandated by laws and regulations, such as GDPR in Europe and various data protection laws globally.

The other options, while related to data management, do not directly address the ethical considerations of collecting personal information. Data storage efficiency focuses on how well data is stored and accessed, minimizing response times relates to system performance, and aggregating data from multiple sources deals with data processing rather than the ethical implications of initial data collection.