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

Tue Oct 8 16:12:02 UTC 2013

On 08/10/13 05:38 AM, Reuben Binns wrote:
> Great question Gene. Two arguments I've heard which haven't been
> mentioned so far, which have some merit, are;
> 
> - 'Open Data empowers the already empowered' Because there are barriers
> to open data use by the disempowered, their interests are often not
> served by open data, so it increases inequalities. See Michael Gurstein
> http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3316/2764 . For
> what it's worth, my response to this argument would be a) just because
> some people are illiterate, should we not build public libraries? and b)
> we must ensure that we build capacity for open data use by all. Many
> different projects within OKFN and outside are working on this and
> already making good progress.

*Any* resource will empower those that can use it. People who are upset
about data being made open on this basis would be more constructive if
they taught people basic data analysis. Or at least recognised that open
data's availability to the educationally privileged supports the kind of
political volunteerism that they themselves exemplify.

> - 'Open Data facilitates the free transfer of public assets to the
> private sector'. The idea is that if the data had remained closed, it
> could have been sold to the private sector, putting more money in the
> public purse. I'm not convinced of this one either, but would be
> interested to see evidence one way or the other.

The alternative proposals tend to be to allow the private sector to buy
the data anyway.

If people want to keep data public they should the ODbL or BY-SA 4.0.
But in no case was the previous semi-commercial status quo less
supportive of the private sector.