Open data

A closer look at ID verification across state benefits applications

The Digital Benefits Network’s open dataset details the identity proofing requirements of 158 applications for benefits programs.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Building better maps with open data on building heights

To inform broadband buildouts, positioning of solar panels and development of digital twins, state and local agencies can now tap into open building height data.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Camera, sensor, drone data lights up disaster response

ALERTCalifornia’s network will provide actionable natural disaster data for public safety agencies and researchers responding to wildfires, floods, landslides and other climate-driven events.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

CISA, FBI need data from cybercrime victims to support policy

The federal agencies tasked with tracking and preventing cybercrime rely on collaboration and data sharing to protect U.S. digital networks.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

One city’s unexpected open-data benefits

Phoenix’s open data portal inspired residents to develop solutions for parking and urban heat on their own, the mayor says.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Change data infrastructure to meet new needs, experts advise

Experts at an Urban Institute event noted that the decline of data sources like surveys has created a need for improved information sharing capabilities.

  • By Kirsten Errick

Climate projections everyone can understand

The Climate Risk and Resilience portal gives emergency managers nontechnical climate datasets and high-resolution, forward-looking climate insights.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

A strategy for ethical, responsible release of public data

Agencies must balance access and privacy when deciding which data should be made public and how, according to a recent report.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Demographic, economic census data for COVID-19 response

The Census Bureau has launched a resource page that highlights demographic and economic data decision-makers can use for more effective response to the pandemic.

  • By GCN Staff

Hackers are now targeting councils and governments, threatening to leak citizen data

Rather than denying victims access to their hostage data, leakware attackers threaten to publish citizens’ sensitive information online.

  • By Brian Nussbaum and Roberto Musotto

US takes tentative steps toward opening up government data

The federal government would benefit from considering lessons learned from open government activities in other countries and at state and local levels.

  • By Scott Shackelford, Beth Cate and Anjanette Raymond

Open data, AI apps shine at Census demo day

Agencies, industry and individuals presented digital tools using open federal data and artificial intelligence at the March 1 demo day.

  • By Chase Gunter

Pushing municipal finance toward open data

Machine-readable financial data would allow citizens to keep an eye on spending, streamline municipal bond financing and help local governments meet their reporting requirements.

  • By Matt Leonard

Beyond transparency: Why open data is good for local government

Open financial data can make it less expensive for municipalities to borrow money and easier report compliance information.

  • By Matt Leonard
Featured eBooks

NYC puts open data to work

A new report, NYC Data at Work, highlights how open data powers government efficiency in New York City.

  • By Matt Leonard

When data pays: Alaska provides access to oil, gas drilling data

Ahead of an auction to lease land for energy exploration, the state is combining public information with specialized seismic data to attract prospective bidders.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Open data grows up

Pittsburgh's Data Rivers project speeds data integration and cleanup and improves troubleshooting of the city's data pipelines.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

How Alexa mines open data

Johns Creek, Ga., is leveraging its open data portal to power an Alexa skill for government services.

  • By Sara Friedman

Open data grows up

Initially a tool for transparency or internal efficiency, open data is starting to drive communities into hard conversations.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Austin's one-stop shop for traffic management

The Austin, Texas, Department of Transportation’s Data and Performance Hub is designed to give both staff and citizens an inside look at signal operations citywide.

  • By Sara Friedman

Mayors are touting tech, open data

The nation's mayors see technology as key to increasing transparency, efficiency and economic development, according to a new report from the National League of Cities.

  • By Matt Leonard