Post: 26 June 2013
Earlier today I released a spreadsheet containing all of the responses to a recent BIS consultation on the UK Information Economy Strategy (obtained under Freedom of Information). See my previous post for more background information.
This post highlights some of the comments about open data contained in the consultation responses.
The original BIS consultation document included one question with a prompt on open data:
Q13. Where can Government add most value in promoting the success of Big Data analytics? For example, the role of Open Data and the need to balance security and privacy with increasing access to data.
However BIS’s published summary of the responses makes only passing mention of open data, and rather understates the level of interest (not all of it positive) evident in the responses themselves.
The following quotes are all from responses submitted on behalf of businesses and other organisations:
“The main driver of change will be Open Data, via Linked Data, especially from the public sector. This is critical to support the emerging Big Data economy.”
“Accept that Big Data is a term generated by IT Industry to promote products and treat it accordingly. Open Data and Big Data are not even remotely connected.”
“Yes, open data will be a key area for government intervention. Also, government should be sensitive to ‘location’ and 'push notification’ data standards.”
“The discussion needs to address Open Data, Private and Proprietary Data and Personal Data separately. For example: Open Data: Proper sanitisation of Open Data is critical to ensure that identities a not compromised. Private Data: Commercial organisations need to have comfort and reassurance that they will not be forced to disclose data that rightly gives them a commercial advantage. Personal Data: Individuals must have rights to assert and maintain ownership of their data and the capability to truly control and manage their privacy.”
– Internet Light Industries Ltd
“Understand the value of data and find ways to trade it! There is a perception (put about by Open Data) that data has to be given away for free!! Understand the difference between Open Data and Open Innovation!!”
– Centre for Business Innovation
“Open Data and Big Data need to be addressed with care and consistency. Open Data use guidelines would assist in avoiding overreliance, security threats, legislation breaches, privacy challenges, etc. Big Data and Open Data skills need to be addressed through appropriate education which addresses all aspects including data analysis/statistical tests of relevance.”
“A coherent legal framework over data storage and processing – including protection, retention and access – is essential for any consideration of increasing access to data and to properly distinguish Open Data from private data. In particular, the security of processed data as well as the underlying data needs to be ensured and enforced.”
– The General Council of the Bar of England and Wales
“The structures and incentives need to be in place and as resources allow the skills should be built up and brought to bear on publishing what I call the "exhaust data” of the “business of government” as open data - metrics, legislation, transactions and so on. Third party strength lies in identfying which of these serve which purpose. It is a nonsense that ODI and ODUG have these kinds of remits and such limited perspective and engagement as it is to suppose that they can second guess discrete drivers across myriad vertical markets.“
– emapsite
"Open Data, whether big or small, helps everyone pool knowledge. Although issues regarding privacy and security are well known, by working with organisations such as the Open Data Institute (ODI) businesses can implement best practice.”
– amee