A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the “Making Data Real”consultation, promising to post my response. I have to admit that replying to the questions it asks has been far harder for this than for any other consultation that I've responded to.
I should hasten to add that this is not from any failing in the consultation itself. Indeed, it is commendably thorough both in its exposition of the issues, and in terms of the questions posed. But that's almost the problem: it is asking very deep questions in an area where few people - myself included - have really managed to frame anything like coherent responses.
On Open Enterprise blog.
Thanks for this interesting and thought provoking article. The issues are thorny and details matter. I'm glad to know that civilized people are working on this important issue.
ReplyDeleteMeaningful progress depends on the exclusive use of free software. There is no real privacy and data security outside of software freedom. If the goal is to fully inform and protect the public in a way that gives no private agency special advantages that undermine democracy and exert power over the rest of us, we must prevent unauthorized collection of data. Publishing the same information can level the playing field somewhat but it won't eliminate the unjust power that non free software owners can wield over the rest of us.
@twitter: indeed - ultimately you need open source, open data and open standards for real openness....
ReplyDelete