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, [email protected] wrote:
From: Aaron Wolf <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [okfn-discuss] what are the arguments against open data
To: Gene Shackman <[email protected]>, Open Knowledge Foundation discussion list
<[email protected]>
Message-ID: <CAEmkM=Yfiagh+BS8Gfwnbm3HwsdMooK_1ZM4bdbRPpi=4hv...@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 <[email protected]> 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
>
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