New Tool in Fighting Corruption: Open Data | Omidyar Network

"Yesterday in Brisbane, the G20 threw its weight behind open data by featuring it prominently in the G20 Anti-Corruption working action plan. Specifically, the action plan calls for effort in three related areas: (1)   Prepare a G20 compendium of good practices and lessons learned on open data and its application in the fight against corruption (2)   Prepare G20 Open Data Principles, including identifying areas or sectors where their application is particularly useful (3)   Complete self‑assessments of G20 country open data frameworks and initiatives   Open data describes information that is not simply public, but that has been published in a manner that makes it easy to access and easy to compare and connect with other information. This matters for anti corruption – if you are a journalist or a civil society activist investigating bribery and corruption those connections are everything ... The action plan also links open data to the wider G20 agenda, citing its impact on the ability of businesses to make better investment decisions. You can find the full detail here.  In June, we published 'Open for Business: How the open data can help achieve the G20 growth target' and argued that open data cut across a number of this year’s G20 priorities: attracting private infrastructure investment, creating jobs and lifting participation, strengthening tax systems and fighting corruption.  We are delighted to see the G20 take this important next step and that open data is now on the G20 agenda for the next two years ..."