Open Data: UK sets Open Data Example, Leapfrogging US Efforts

In a written memorandum, Barack Obama promised that “My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.”  Since then the federal government has set up www.data.gov and a variety of sites that publish data sets.

But the Open Data project in the US government is having problems.  Budgetary issues have caused the federal Open Data project’s funding to be slashed.  That coupled with the departure of key backers of Open Data from the Obama administration has slowed the momentum of the federal Open Data project.  Vivek Kundra, Aneesh Chopra and Beth Novick, former federal CIO,  CTO, and deputy CTO and strong backers of the Open Data project, have all recently left the Obama administration.

While Open Data in the US has hit a stagnant period, Open Data in the UK is moving along at a fast pace.  The UK government recently launched an independently chaired Data Strategy Board (DSB) which will be solicit input from the private sector and broader open data community to influence what and how data sets will be released by the government.  At least one-third of the DSB board members are slaed to come from the private sector.  The goal is to encourage the creation of new private sector business and growth.  More than $10 million have been allocated for the DSB to purchase the rights to additional data sets which can be made available.

Francis Maude, Minister of the UK Cabinet Office, said that “What we are seeing now is the next generation of entrepreneurs using raw materials in the shape of data and making products no one thought was possible…  Open Data will enable people to hold governments to account in terms of what we are spending money on and opens up the workings of government.”

Maude said that “The organizations in the Public Data Group are world leaders with a wealth of information at their finger tips. By bringing them together as the Public Data Group they will work collaboratively to identify and deliver better and more efficient public services. I’m confident that these organisations will work together to create positive impacts across the economy and I look forward to seeing the results.”