Open Data, Transparency and Accountability

"Despite a range of international open data initiatives and pressures, developing countries are lagging behind in the implementation of reforms at government level, in the overall availability of data, and in the use of open data for transparency and accountability. What is more, there are signs that 'open-washing' - superficial efforts to publish data without full integration with transparency commitments - may be obscuring backsliding in other aspects of accountability."

Open data involves the release of data so that anyone can access, use, and share it. This Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) topic guide introduces evidence and lessons learned about open data, transparency, and accountability in the international development context. It discusses the definitions, theories, challenges, and debates presented by the relationship between these concepts, summarises the current state of open data implementation in international development, and highlights lessons and resources for designing and implementing open data programmes. Namely, it includes an outline of technical and non-technical aspects of implementing a government open data initiative and lists further tools and guidance.

As noted here, the Open Data Charter (2015) describes 6 principles that aim to make data easier to find, use, and combine: open by default, timely and comprehensive, accessible and usable, comparable and interoperable, for improved governance and citizen engagement, and for inclusive development and innovation. One of the main objectives of making data open is to promote transparency. Transparency is a characteristic of government, companies, organisations, and individuals that are open in the clear disclosure of information, rules, plans, processes, and actions. Transparency of information is a crucial part of this. Programmes intended to increase access to information can be impacted by and can affect inequality. They can also pose risks to privacy and may enable the misuse of data for the exploitation of individuals and markets. For open data and transparency initiatives to lead to accountability, the required conditions outlined in the topic guide include:

1. The right information is published in the right way at the right time. This requires an understanding of the politics of data publication.
2. Societal actors are able to find, access, and use this data, as well as to act on any outputs.
3. There is space to generate and share insights, and demand a response.
4. Functioning response systems are in place to impose sanctions or introduce other changes, or citizens have sufficient choice or support from public officials.

Supported by the United Kingdom (UK) Department for International Development (DFID), GSDRC topic guides aim to provide a clear, concise, and objective report on findings from rigorous research on critical areas of development policy. Rather than provide policy guidance or recommendations, their purpose is to inform policymakers and practitioners of the key debates and evidence on the topic of focus in order to support informed decision-making.