Public Data Corporation still a mystery

The initial engagement on the PDC – not consultation! for the public policy boffins out there – has just finished, leaving some clarity but even more unanswered questions.

At ORG we organised our own consultation of groups and individuals around the Open Data community, and we also participated in the official discussions with the Cabinet Office. This was very helpful in confirming what are some very conflicting demands placed on the new organisation, but not how this conundrum could be solved.

To simultaneously provide free open data while making private companies put money in raw data production will be very difficult, and in this type of situation nowadays things tend to go the way of private profit.

The schedule for the creation fo the new body is not clear but we are told that it will take between 6 and 18 months, and that there will be further opportunities to discuss what is being proposed, including an official consultation. Our experience is that by the time the consultation arrives the policy has already been baked and cooled, so the next few months will be critical in shaping this very important development.

You can read the full text of our response to the engagement process here.