DATA. The US House Oversight Committee has approved a bill from Darrell Issa (R-California) which, if it becomes law, will create a Federal Accountability and Spending Transparency (FAST) Board in charge of mandating data standards for federal spending data. It will also be responsible for ensuring agencies comply with the standards.
“Mandate” sounds good, but what powers will FAST have? If data is published in non-standard format, will FAST be able to pull the plug on the relevant servers? Will citizens be able to use agencies that don't comply?
I understand the desire to use standards to improve access to information. Taxpayers deserve nothing less. But we're more likely to achieve that result if agencies are inspired – and incentivized – to share information more effectively for their own purposes. Government ought to be working from the inside out on this one. I know our representatives want to be seen to be serving the interests of citizens directly, and that arguing for data standards within the government sector wouldn't exactly be voter-friendly. Besides, government organizations already have a slew of standards at their disposal.
Speaking in my dual capacity as a taxpayer and an information standards guy, I want to hear more about harmonization of standards, reduction in alternate data formats – and cooperation all round. There needs to be a collegiate effort, with strong leadership. Making empty threats isn't going to get our government's data in order. Transparency Bill
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