[okfn-discuss] what are the arguments against open data

Tue Oct 8 02:46:01 UTC 2013

These sources argue that open data disproportionately benefits those 
with power and access, at the expense of disenfranchised communities, 
thus worsening inequity:

http://crookedtimber.org/2012/06/25/seeing-like-a-geek/
http://mathbabe.org/2012/07/26/is-open-data-a-good-thing/

LW

On 10/07/2013 06:11 PM, okfn-discuss-request at lists.okfn.org wrote:
> From: Aaron Wolf <wolftune at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [okfn-discuss] what are the arguments against open data
> To: Gene Shackman <eval_gene at yahoo.com>, Open Knowledge Foundation discussion list <okfn-discuss at lists.okfn.org>
> Message-ID: <CAEmkM=Yfiagh+BS8Gfwnbm3HwsdMooK_1ZM4bdbRPpi=4hv+cg at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>The only arguments
> against open data that I know of are:
>
>* Allows people to *intentionally
> *misuse the data, either to misrepresent things or worse to attack some
> institutions or people, such as data that indicates some inefficiency in
> a government agency could be used to attack the credibility of the
> agency and thus undermine support for regulations (not saying this is
> necessarily bad, although it could be, but those who find this
> threatening would oppose open data).
>
>* Those who are anti-democratic are
> opposed to open data because it is democratizing.
>
>I think what you meant
> is: what is wrong with open data if we assume certain morality that
> favors transparency, science, and democracy? The answer is, I think:
> nothing is wrong with it as long as measures are in place to protect
> civil liberties related to privacy.
>
>Cheers, Aaron
>
>-- Aaron Wolf
> wolftune.com
>
> On Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 3:25 PM, Gene Shackman <eval_gene at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> >Ewan Klein asked an excellent question on identifying specific
>> >demonstrations of the benefits of open data. That made me wonder about a
>> >related question: what are the arguments against open data?
>> >
>> >Two are:
>> >
>> >1. It takes a lot of work to get data into the format for making it open.
>> >This isn't really an argument -against- open data, but a comment to be
>> >sympathetic to those trying to make their data open. It does take quite a
>> >bit of work.
>> >
>> >2. It's easy for many people to misunderstand or misuse the data,
>> >unintentionally. Again, not an argument -against- open data. A lot of
>> >times, it takes a lot of background to understand the data being presented.
>> >There are many things that an outsider wouldn't necessarily know or think
>> >of about the data, even if those who are making it available spend a lot of
>> >time explaining the data.
>> >
>> >So there are many difficulties with open data. It's not something just
>> >anyone can pick up and three minutes later make a snappy chart or graph and
>> >a story. As much work should go into using the data as creating the data.
>> >
>> >But again, these aren't arguments -against- open data. So what are?
>> >
>> >Gene
>> >