Big data, open government and e-government: Issues, policies and recommendations

TLDR

Big and Open Data promise transformative benefits for e‑government, openness, transparency, and collaboration across government, citizens, and business, yet they raise policy challenges in access, dissemination, asset management, privacy, and security. The paper examines how current information policy frameworks fail to address these challenges after outlining the open‑data policies that underpin Big Data initiatives. It proposes recommendations as a starting point for a revised policy framework to address key issues in the U.S.

Abstract

The transformative promises and potential of Big and Open Data are substantial for e-government services, openness and transparency, governments, and the interaction between governments, citizens, and the business sector. From "smart" government to transformational government, Big and O pen Data can foster collaboration; create real-time solutions to challenges in agriculture, health, transportation, and more; promote greater openness; and usher in a new era of policy- and decision-making. There are, however, a range of policy challenges to address regarding Big and Open Data, including access and dissemination; digital asset management, archiving and preservation; privacy; and security. After presenting a discussion of the open data policies that serve as a foundation for Big Data initiatives, this paper examines the ways in which the current information policy framework fails to address a number of these policy challenges. It then offers recommendations intended to serve as a beginning point for a revised policy framework to address significant issues raised by the U.S. government's engagement in Big Data efforts.