By Rob O'Brien
Governments should be more cautious about the data they place in the public domain, a leading e-government analyst has warned.
In a media briefing at the Gartner IT Symposium in Sydney, analyst Andrea di Maio said that governments had hurried to open up data sets with little regard to the outcomes and value that ‘mashed up’ products offered the public sector.
In a media briefing at the Gartner IT Symposium in Sydney, analyst Andrea di Maio said that governments had hurried to open up data sets with little regard to the outcomes and value that ‘mashed up’ products offered the public sector.
“Who’s looking at whether these mashups are bringing value or not?” Mr Di Maio said. “Someone mashes them. It’s good from a public perspective but who will take action?”
“Think about the consequences of the data they’re putting out there. The more data you publish the more risk you create,” he added.
Mashups – the use of various data sets to create a new product or service – has become a useful way of recycling old information while demonstrating the benefits of open access to public sector information.
Mashups – the use of various data sets to create a new product or service – has become a useful way of recycling old information while demonstrating the benefits of open access to public sector information.
The Mashup Australia competition, run by the Federal Government's Gov 2.0 Taskforce, received 81 entries after it closed last week. Similar competitions are being run by State Governments.
Mr Di Maio, who has worked previously with the European Commission on the IT impact of the European single currency, said that he had observed the same outpouring of public information in the US.
"They’re maybe not understanding how big the problem might be,” he said.
The Federal Government announced it was establishing a Gov 2.0 taskforce in June, led by Dr Nicholas Gruen, to explore issues surrounding government in the Web 2.0 era.
"They’re maybe not understanding how big the problem might be,” he said.
The Federal Government announced it was establishing a Gov 2.0 taskforce in June, led by Dr Nicholas Gruen, to explore issues surrounding government in the Web 2.0 era.
Mr Di Maio did praise the Gov 2.0 Taskforce for ‘asking the right questions’ about the impact of Web 2.0 on governments.
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