EC member states told to open public datasets by 2013

The European Commission is to make governments across Europe open their datasets by 2013 to give citizens the right to access and use data as they wish.

Neelie Kroes, vice president of the EC for the Digital Agenda, said at an OpenForum event in Brussels that making data available has numerous benefits for individuals, businesses and governments.

"I am convinced that the potential to reuse public data is significantly untapped. Such data is a resource, a new and valuable raw material. If we became able to mine it, that would be an investment which would pay off with benefits for all of us," she said.

"What could be more natural than public authorities who have collected information on behalf of citizens using their tax money to give it back to those same citizens? New professionals such as data journalists are our allies in explaining what we do."

Kroes explained that, as part of her plans, the EC will have its own data portal by early 2012 from which information can be accessed, while a second portal will be live by 2013 to host data from nations across Europe.

She added that the EC will change the specifications of the relevant directives to make it easier for nations to adhere to the timeline and ensure that accessing the data remains free.

"I want requirements to be more encompassing, and specifications improved. In particular, we'll be looking at the way data is disclosed - the formats and the way data licences operate to make reuse straightforward in practice," she said.

"We'll also be looking at charging regimes because expensive data isn't open data. In short, getting the data out under reasonable conditions should be a routine part of the business of public administrations."

The use of open data is already on the UK government's agenda. Senior transparency adviser Tim Kelsey announced a commitment to making datasets available at an event in July.

"We want openness to happen as a point of principle, and exemptions should be thought about afterwards. Any data held by a public authority should be considered as having the potential to be made available," he said.