Open data add to digital divide?
Jinfo Blog

By Joanna Ptolomey

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Many of the projects I get involved in have people inequalities and information literacy aspects to them. It is my hope (perhaps foolish) that I make a difference to the world in which we live through my projects.

Last year I wrote a chapter called Digital Divide and Accessibility for a new book called Government Information Management in the 21st Century - International Perspectives. The essence of the chapter considers that this digital age is causing even more barriers for accessing information in suitable formats rather than a level playing field – another form of inequality. I believe a digital divide is being created.

Contrary to what I write about for FreePint publications and in my work as an information consultant and researcher where I reach out and exchange with people on the same level playing field as me,  there are groups of people who cannot physically access information digitally or sift through the volume. And this is where I have on-going problems and fear that inequalities are creeping up for the people that have no voice.

What about data for all – so called open data? Penny Crossland gave us a good update on the UK public data portal and alternatives early in 2011. However I hark back to my post on capable communities some 16 months earlier and again ask some basic questions. Firstly, the ability of the citizen to curate their own content if indeed they understand their own needs. Secondly, the ability of the citizen to engage – and by that we are talking accessibility issues and literacy.

Inequalities arise when you don’t have the right equipment to access. Volume of content does not constitute a winning situation if don’t have the skills to sift through to find the most useful or valuable to your situation and needs. 

In general I support open data but it really only supports a niche group of people. Most people who are using open data are already sophisticated data users. They know their way around datasets, and they also expect data and other information to be out there. They also know how to find it and what to do with it when they find it.

Open government and open data are a great idea and they certainly provide economies in public service delivery and governance. But they do not solve the problem of people inequalities. By offering cheap and snazzy portals of information to people you will still need a supporting framework of solutions of community education, outreach and advocacy. 

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