Presentation given at OKCON (Open Knowledge Conference) 2011 by Chris Taggart, June 30, 2011.
Explores whether and how open data can be used as a tool for strengthening democracy, using corporate
3. Me: Chris Taggart
@countculture
Developer of OpenlyLocal, opening up local government
information since 2009. 150 councils, 10,000 councillors,
2 million payments, £12 billion – all open data
4. Me: Chris Taggart
@countculture
Developer of OpenlyLocal, opening up local government
information since 2009. 150 councils, 10,000 councillors,
2 million payments, £12 billion – all open data
Developer of OpenCharities
5. Me: Chris Taggart
@countculture
Developer of OpenlyLocal, opening up local government
information since 2009. 150 councils, 10,000 councillors,
2 million payments, £12 billion – all open data
Developer of OpenCharities
Member of UK Local Public Data Panel
6. Me: Chris Taggart
@countculture
Developer of OpenlyLocal, opening up local government
information since 2009. 150 councils, 10,000 councillors,
2 million payments, £12 billion – all open data
Developer of OpenCharities
Member of UK Local Public Data Panel
Co-founder & CEO of OpenCorporates
12. Friction underpins society as
we know it
Many (most?) industries and business models are based
on it, leading to intermediaries, such as from real-estate
to electronics stores to the recorded music industry
13. Friction underpins society as
we know it
Many (most?) industries and business models are based
ED
EDIATsuch as from real-estate
on it, leading SINTERM
DI to intermediaries,
to electronics stores to the recorded music industry
14. Friction underpins society as
we know it
Many (most?) industries and business models are based
ED
EDIATsuch as from real-estate
on it, leading SINTERM
DI to intermediaries,
to electronics stores to the recorded music industry
Privacy existed largely by dint of the difficulty of
combining information, allowing us to live multiple
separate lives, and the ability for our past to be
forgotten
15. Friction underpins society as
we know it
Many (most?) industries and business models are based
ED
EDIATsuch as from real-estate
on it, leading SINTERM
DI to intermediaries,
to electronics stores to the recorded music industry
Privacy existed largely by dint of the difficulty of
combining information,GLY SC us
allowing ARtoE multiple
C live
NCR EASIN ability for our past to be
separate Ilives, and the
forgotten
16. Friction underpins society as
we know it
Many (most?) industries and business models are based
ED
EDIATsuch as from real-estate
on it, leading SINTERM
DI to intermediaries,
to electronics stores to the recorded music industry
Privacy existed largely by dint of the difficulty of
combining information,GLY SC us
allowing ARtoE multiple
C live
NCR EASIN ability for our past to be
separate Ilives, and the
forgotten
Gives power to incumbents, but allows multiple
competitors to exist, both in time and space (different
countries have their own industries)
17. Friction underpins society as
we know it
Many (most?) industries and business models are based
ED
EDIATsuch as from real-estate
on it, leading SINTERM
DI to intermediaries,
to electronics stores to the recorded music industry
Privacy existed largely by dint of the difficulty of
combining information,GLY SC us
allowing ARtoE multiple
C live
NCR EASIN ability for our past to be
separate Ilives, and the
forgotten
Gives power to incumbents, but allows multiple
competitors to exist, both OPOLY PER CTOR?
SE(different
ON LOBAL ) MON in time and space
E (Ghave their own industries)
countries
19. And our democracies
depend on friction
Representative democracy is based on it
– politicians are elected for a given term
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68259253@N00/2393999700
20. And our democracies
depend on friction
Representative democracy is based on it
– politicians are elected for a given term
The balance of power between the arms
of government is a balance between
varying degrees of friction (e.g. different
terms for House, Senate, Supreme Court)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68259253@N00/2393999700
21. And our democracies
depend on friction
Representative democracy is based on it
– politicians are elected for a given term
The balance of power between the arms
of government is a balance between
varying degrees of friction (e.g. different
terms for House, Senate, Supreme Court)
It takes time to pass laws (not necessarily
a bad thing), and constitutional changes are
deliberately full of friction. But... almost impossible to
legislate intelligently in fast changing area (IP, data,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68259253@N00/2393999700
23. The corporate world deals
with friction every day
Friction protects incumbents. Making it easier to switch
mobile phone providers == reducing friction for the
user
24. The corporate world deals
with friction every day
Friction protects incumbents. Making it easier to switch
mobile phone providers == reducing friction for the
user
Reducing friction allows you to deliver more for less,
reducing times, cost, increasing efficiency, with data
underlying all this
25. The corporate world deals
with friction every day
Friction protects incumbents. Making it easier to switch
mobile phone providers == reducing friction for the
user
Reducing friction allows you to deliver more for less,
reducing times, cost, increasing efficiency, with data
underlying all this
Government regulations, tax, social benefits are all
increases in friction that many companies will do their
best to overcome
26. But we know how the
internet deals with friction
27. But we know how the
internet deals with friction
Friction == blockage (and the internet routes around
blockages).
28. But we know how the
internet deals with friction
Friction == blockage (and the internet routes around
blockages).
The corporate world in many ways prefigured the
internet’s architecture – routing around blockages.
29. But we know how the
internet deals with friction
Friction == blockage (and the internet routes around
blockages).
The corporate world in many ways prefigured the
internet’s architecture – routing around blockages.
And that’s true for the modern world too, as ideas,
memes, money, all cross the world before the public
realm has even noticed, still less had time to act.
30. 2 are failing
Jurisdictions
http://www.davidhammerstein.com/article-acta-images-via-bansky-adapted-48287542.html
32. Jurisdiction failure
Note: failure, not elimination
Publish everywhere and nowhere?
33. Jurisdiction failure
Note: failure, not elimination
Publish everywhere and nowhere?
Is BP really a British company (more US than UK
shareholders)?
34. Jurisdiction failure
Note: failure, not elimination
Publish everywhere and nowhere?
Is BP really a British company (more US than UK
shareholders)?
Who has jurisdiction over Twitter, Facebook, Baidu?
35. Jurisdiction failure
Note: failure, not elimination
Publish everywhere and nowhere?
Is BP really a British company (more US than UK
shareholders)?
Who has jurisdiction over Twitter, Facebook, Baidu?
How can a company be audited (for tax) when key parts
are hidden in tax havens, opaque corporate structures?
36. Jurisdiction failure
Note: failure, not elimination
Publish everywhere and nowhere?
Is BP really a British company (more US than UK
shareholders)?
Who has jurisdiction over Twitter, Facebook, Baidu?
How can a company be audited (for tax) when key parts
are hidden in tax havens, opaque corporate structures?
Do we have selective jurisdiction applied in certain
places & certain people (ACTA, rendition, tax)?
38. Jurisdiction failure
Note: failure, not elimination
Corporate world long realised that jurisdictions are just a
form of friction... and can be lubricated. Race to the
bottom for regulation and taxes (been going on since at
least the 19th century)
39. Jurisdiction failure
Note: failure, not elimination
Corporate world long realised that jurisdictions are just a
form of friction... and can be lubricated. Race to the
bottom for regulation and taxes (been going on since at
least the 19th century)
What does a jurisdiction mean when we’re talking about
open data – what is the the applicable law/jurisdiction
for a piece of open data published by the US
government about a UK company & referring to a
German individual?
41. Ability to use data is critical
3 main barriers: access, rights, understanding.
42. Ability to use data is critical
3 main barriers: access, rights, understanding.
Access: Can you get hold of the data... and if you’re an
incumbent can you prevent others doing the same to
gain a competitive advantage (commonly by having the
data you are buying priced out of their reach)
43. Ability to use data is critical
3 main barriers: access, rights, understanding.
Access: Can you get hold of the data... and if you’re an
incumbent can you prevent others doing the same to
gain a competitive advantage (commonly by having the
data you are buying priced out of their reach)
Rights: Do you have the rights to use this data,
combine it with other data, pass it on to others, work in
a collaborative, distributed way?
44. Ability to use data is critical
3 main barriers: access, rights, understanding.
Access: Can you get hold of the data... and if you’re an
incumbent can you prevent others doing the same to
gain a competitive advantage (commonly by having the
data you are buying priced out of their reach)
Rights: Do you have the rights to use this data,
combine it with other data, pass it on to others, work in
a collaborative, distributed way?
Understanding: Do you have the ability and processes
to actually do something with the data
45. Big problem for government
(& us)... despite the huge
amount of data they hold
46. Big problem for government
(& us)... despite the huge
amount of data they hold
They see data like this
47. Big problem for government
(& us)... despite the huge
amount of data they hold
They see data like this ...or maybe this
48. They work like this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/4092410854
53. So, can open data help?
Gives the community a foothold, skin in the game
54. So, can open data help?
Gives the community a foothold, skin in the game
Allows government to make those walls that separate it
from the people permeable, the ‘open’ in ‘open data’
55. So, can open data help?
Gives the community a foothold, skin in the game
Allows government to make those walls that separate it
from the people permeable, the ‘open’ in ‘open data’
Allows retooling of government to take advantage of
data, removing silos, ending the culture of monolithic
projects, loosening hierarchies
56. So, can open data help?
Gives the community a foothold, skin in the game
Allows government to make those walls that separate it
from the people permeable, the ‘open’ in ‘open data’
Allows retooling of government to take advantage of
data, removing silos, ending the culture of monolithic
projects, loosening hierarchies
Allows the data to straddle to cross national
boundaries – essential with environmental, lobbying,
economic, development, corporate data
57. Yes, but it’s no silver bullet
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/4160817135/
58. Yes, but it’s no silver bullet
With the wrong licence the community will be hobbled
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/4160817135/
59. Yes, but it’s no silver bullet
With the wrong licence the community will be hobbled
They will be outgunned & outspent, so will need powerful
network effects
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/4160817135/
60. Yes, but it’s no silver bullet
With the wrong licence the community will be hobbled
They will be outgunned & outspent, so will need powerful
network effects
Having a government that understands data is not
without its risk, unless there are democratic safeguards
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/4160817135/
61. Yes, but it’s no silver bullet
With the wrong licence the community will be hobbled
They will be outgunned & outspent, so will need powerful
network effects
Having a government that understands data is not
without its risk, unless there are democratic safeguards
Where is the democratic
oversight over the ‘community’,
the digerati, non-profits, OKF?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/4160817135/
62. Yes, but it’s no silver bullet
With the wrong licence the community will be hobbled
They will be outgunned & outspent, so will need powerful
network effects
Having a government that understands data is not
without its risk, unless there are democratic safeguards
Where is the democratic
oversight over the ‘community’,
the digerati, non-profits, OKF?
What about national cultural norms, especially privacy?
Do they just strengthen proprietary databases?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/4160817135/
64. Potted history of
the company
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
65. Potted history of
the company
Always tensions between the
corporate world and the state
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
66. Potted history of
the company
Always tensions between the
corporate world and the state
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
67. Potted history of
the company
Always tensions between the
corporate world and the state
In 19th century states decided to
allow people to set up companies
(previously it took an act of law)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
68. Potted history of
the company
Always tensions between the
corporate world and the state
In 19th century states decided to
allow people to set up companies
(previously it took an act of law)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
69. Potted history of
the company
Always tensions between the
corporate world and the state
In 19th century states decided to
allow people to set up companies
(previously it took an act of law)
These would have to be registered,
and publish information about their
finances and structure
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
70. Potted history of
the company
Always tensions between the
corporate world and the state
In 19th century states decided to
allow people to set up companies
(previously it took an act of law)
These would have to be registered,
and publish information about their
finances and structure
That’s when the fun started... and
the hackers got involved
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
71. Potted history of
the company
Always tensions between the
corporate world and the state
In 19th century states decided to
allow people to set up companies
(previously it took an act of law)
These would have to be registered,
and publish information about their
finances and structure
That’s when the fun started... and
the hackers got involved
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/2720102926; http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddwickersty/2230065901
73. [digression] Hackers?
Without doubt the world’s most successful, best
rewarded, and skilled hackers in the world are
corporate tax lawyers.
74. [digression] Hackers?
Without doubt the world’s most successful, best
rewarded, and skilled hackers in the world are
corporate tax lawyers.
Make the rules work for them – within days of a new
rules (tax code) being issued, they’ve figured out a way
to game them to their (clients’) advantage.
75. [digression] Hackers?
Without doubt the world’s most successful, best
rewarded, and skilled hackers in the world are
corporate tax lawyers.
Make the rules work for them – within days of a new
rules (tax code) being issued, they’ve figured out a way
to game them to their (clients’) advantage.
Unlimited access to simple but powerful tools – cost
not a problem.
76. [digression] Hackers?
Without doubt the world’s most successful, best
rewarded, and skilled hackers in the world are
corporate tax lawyers.
Make the rules work for them – within days of a new
rules (tax code) being issued, they’ve figured out a way
to game them to their (clients’) advantage.
Unlimited access to simple but powerful tools – cost
not a problem.
Agile, highly focused, amoral, able to understand and
work multiple systems (jurisdictions) simultaneously
77. [digression] Hackers?
Without doubt the world’s most successful, best
rewarded, and skilled hackers in the world are
corporate tax lawyers.
Make the rules work for them – within days of a new
rules (tax code) being issued, they’ve figured out a way
to game them to their (clients’) advantage.
Unlimited access to simple but powerful tools – cost
not a problem.
Agile, highly focused, amoral, able to understand and
work multiple systems (jurisdictions) simultaneously
More or less untouchable by the law.
78. Always a slightly unequal
battle, but at least arguably
comparable when...
88. [Another
digression] The DUNS number
Genius idea. Developed by Dun &
Bradstreet in 1962
89. [Another
digression] The DUNS number
Genius idea. Developed by Dun &
Bradstreet in 1962
Create a monopoly ID system
90. [Another
digression] The DUNS number
Genius idea. Developed by Dun &
Bradstreet in 1962
Create a monopoly ID system
91. [Another
digression] The DUNS number
Genius idea. Developed by Dun &
Bradstreet in 1962
Create a monopoly ID system
Get governments around the world
to use it instead of the company
IDs they created themselves...
92. [Another
digression] The DUNS number
Genius idea. Developed by Dun &
Bradstreet in 1962
Create a monopoly ID system
Get governments around the world
to use it instead of the company
IDs they created themselves...
Persuade them to integrate deeply
into their systems, & thus do the
selling for you
93. [Another
digression] The DUNS number
Genius idea. Developed by Dun &
Bradstreet in 1962
Create a monopoly ID system
Get governments around the world
to use it instead of the company
IDs they created themselves...
Persuade them to integrate deeply
into their systems, & thus do the
selling for you
94. [Another
digression] The DUNS number
Genius idea. Developed by Dun &
Bradstreet in 1962
Create a monopoly ID system
Get governments around the world
to use it instead of the company
IDs they created themselves...
Persuade them to integrate deeply
into their systems, & thus do the
selling for you
Assert your IP so that they can’t
use it freely (as in free speech)
95. If you don’t
think this
affects your
life, you’ve
slept through
the past few
years
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronjacobs/64368770
105. So what does this all mean?
Hint: everything I needed to know about Open
Data I learned from Open Source
106. It’s all about the licence
Otherwise a two-stage world:
the data-haves, and the data-have-nots
107. Even then, it’s going to be
tough for democracy
And it possibly won’t look like the
one we have today
Editor's Notes
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If the first point was largely about the temporaral world, and the disappearance of those boundaries, this is about the spatial world, and the breakdown of the artificial boundaries \n
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This is an area I’m particularly interested in, but I’m sure the same story is played out in a similar way with spatial data, or laws, or many other areas.\n