Press release: Open Data Barometer | Open Data Research Network

"Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, has called on world leaders to back talk on transparency and accountability with action - by ensuring that important data which may be politically sensitive is not excluded from open data initiatives.  According to Berners-Lee, this is essential to ensure that Open Government Data programs deliver their potential, which includes fighting poverty, accelerating industry and innovation, and reducing corruption.     Sir Tim’s call to action came ahead of a speech at the Open Government Partnership Annual Summit in London, where he is unveiling a new report - the Open Data Barometer. This 77-country study, which considers the interlinked areas of policy, implementation and impact, ranks the UK at number one. The USA, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark and Norway (tied) make up the rest of the top five. Kenya is ranked as the most advanced developing country, outperforming richer countries such as Ireland and Belgium in global comparisons.      The Barometer reveals that: [1] 55% of countries surveyed have formal open data policies in place. [2] Valuable but potentially controversial datasets - such as company registers and land registers - are among the least likely to be openly released. It is unclear whether this stems from reluctance to drop lucrative access charges, or from desire to keep a lid on politically sensitive information, or both. However, the net effect is to severely limit the accountability benefits of open data. [3] When they are released, government datasets are often issued in inaccessible formats. Across the nations surveyed, fewer that than 1 in 10 key datasets that could be used to hold governments to account, stimulate enterprise, and promote better social policy, are available and truly open for re-use.   The research also makes the case that:   [1] Efforts should be made to empower civil society, entrepreneurs and members of the public to use government data made available, rather than simply publishing data online. [2] Business activity and innovation can be boosted by strong open data policies.  In Denmark, for example, free of charge access to address data has had a significant economic impact. In 2010, an evaluation recorded an estimated financial benefit to society of EUR 62 million against costs of EUR 2million."