This Week in Open and Communications Data Land… « OUseful.Info, the blog…

"Following the official opening of the Open Data Institute (ODI) last week, a flurry of data related announcements this week: [1] A big one for stats fans with the release of 2011 Census data by the ONS: 2011 Census, Key Statistics for Local Authorities in England and Wales... [2] Over at BIS, £8 million of investment in open public data is announced, the major chunk of which goes to the Data Strategy Board (#datastrategy) Breakthrough Fund to help public bodies get over short term technical barriers to releasing open public data ... [3] Not sure if I missed this when it was presumably announced? The Data Strategy Board’s chair Stephan Shakespeare (CEO of YouGov Plc) is leading an independent review of public sector information (here are the (draft) terms of reference)... [4] The funding around public open data coincided with a written Ministerial statement form the Cabinet Office that provided an Update on Departmental Open Data Commitments and adherence to Public Data Principles (>original link on a gov.uk domain, h/t @owenboswarva). The update is spectacularly lacking in linking to any of the raw data that is summarised in the actual statement, so so much for any actual transparency there… [5] Things have been moving on the Communications Data front too. Communications Data got a look in as part of the 2011/2012 Security and Intelligence Committee Annual Report with a review of what’s currently possible and 'why change may be necessary'...  [6] Elsewhere in Parliament, the Joint Select Committee Report on the Draft Communications Data Bill was published and took a critical tone ... In other news, Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement of DNA tests to revolutionise fight against cancer and help 100,000 patients was reported via a technology angle – Everybody’s DNA could be on genetic map in ‘very near future’ [Daily Telegraph] – as well as by means of more reactionary headlines: Plans for NHS database of patients’ DNA angers privacy campaigners [Guardian], Privacy fears over DNA database for up to 100,000 patients [Daily Telegraph].  If DNA is your thing, don’t forget that the Home Office already operates a National DNA Database for law enforcement purposes.  And if national databases are your thing, there always the National Pupil Database which was in the news recently with the launch of a consultation on proposed amendments to individual pupil information prescribed persons regulations which seeks to 'maximise the value of this rich dataset' by widening access to this data. (Again, Ray provides some context and commentary: Mr Gove touting access to National Pupil Database) ... "