Open data
IDA's position
There appears to be a more or less broad consensus that increased access to open data, both nationally and internationally, holds enormous potential for the private sector, the public sector and citizens/consumers alike.
Similarly, there appears to be agreement that establishing free data flows is not exactly the easiest task in the world, partly because non-personal data can quickly become personal if one simply has a sufficient amount of such non-personal data at one’s disposal.
IDA considers it important that data can flow freely and securely both within Denmark and between EU countries. IDA points out that, in this context, it is absolutely essential to distinguish between sensitive personal data and non-personally identifiable data.
Non-personally identifiable data can be usefully exchanged freely and efficiently to create the best possible framework for, for example, innovation, environmental monitoring and research; IDA therefore believes that there should be far greater access to this data. This applies to both publicly and privately collected data.
Four recommendations from IDA
Private companies hold large volumes of data that are not being utilised and therefore do not generate the societal value that could be achieved if the data were accessible.
It is important to work towards making this data accessible, not least for the research community. Conversely, the free flow of sensitive personal data depends on the data being anonymised and adequately secured.
In this context, it is a fundamental principle for IDA that sensitive personal data belongs to the citizens themselves and that it is therefore the citizens who own this data.
Specifically, IDA recommends that we in Denmark should:
- Establish clear governance for open data
- Ensure clear definitions of terms and quality and documentation requirements
- Establish an ongoing evaluation framework
- Carry out sector-specific assessments of the economic implications
Report: Cyber and information security, open data and ethics
Three recommendations from IDA’s Digitalisation Committee.