Open Data
Open Data
Data published in a form that anyone can freely download, reuse, and redistribute.
In Simple Terms
Open data is information held by national or local governments that's made freely available for anyone to download and use online. For example, things like the locations of local emergency shelters or public bus routes get published this way. Using this data, individuals and companies build things like disaster mapping apps and transit apps and release them to the public.
Behind the Name
"Open Data" combines "open," meaning freely accessible without restriction, and "data," meaning information. The name reflects the idea of data that's unlocked for anyone to use, rather than kept behind restrictions for a select few.
Take a Closer Look!
Broadly speaking, open data refers to data held by national governments, local governments, companies, and other organizations that's published online so anyone can freely use and process it.
It has two key features: it's free and unrestricted for anyone to use, and it's published in a format that's easy for computers to handle.
For example, things like population statistics, weather observation data, public transit schedules, and tourism information are all published as open data.
Because this data is stored in formats computers can automatically read and organize, it can be efficiently analyzed and built upon using software.
Publishing open data makes it easier for new services to emerge that tackle all kinds of social challenges.
Opening up government-held data to the public also plays an important role in making government activity more transparent and building trust with citizens.