Opening Data in Lebanon: To Be or Not To Be
Data, by definition, are the raw material produced by abstracting the world into categories, measure, or other classifications that constitute the base from which knowledge and information are created (Kitchin, 2014, p.3). This data today has been held as a treasure trove by governments and companies whereas such data could be of big use to wider communities (Open Data Institute, 2015, p.4). With this being said, the open data movement has been advocating towards transforming this situation by opening data for wider reuse as well as providing them with easy-to-use research tools, according to Kitchin (2014, p.48). Kitchin (2014) goes on to argue that opening data is for the main purpose of producing information and knowledge instead of restricting it to the power of data of its producers through transparency, sharing and working together (p.48).
The opening of data to a wider group of people enables businesses and citizens to create things that may help in improving and facilitating their lives such as reducing traffic, protecting the environment, providing local services, and offering political auditing tools. There are 3 main promises associated with open data which include: Innovation, Participation, and Accountability and Control. Hence, once a population is given the chance to participate, innovate and hold politicians accountable for their actions, the data will help societies function better. Open data promises to strengthen democratic politics while treating individual liberty with caution. However, for data to be considered open, it must be accessible, machine-readable, and is licensed (Kitchin, 2014, p.50–51).
Taking Lebanon as an example, the Rights to Information was approved by the Lebanese Parliament on January 2017 that gives individuals access to any document available in government institutions; however, the key challenge of this right lies in its execution (Reuters, 2017). If Lebanon were to open its data, there are many areas in which open access to government records could make a difference.
Firstly, Lebanon’s use of real-time data that is collected through mobile phones can facilitate the use of transportation in general; thus decreasing the amount of traffic that exists on Lebanese roads. If the public transportation companies in Lebanon were to use anonymous mobile phone data to generate real time traffic statistics, people would use such means of transportation more often instead of their cars. Not only would it affect the traffic, but it would also have a positive impact on the environment for emitting less toxic gases and on individual’s well beings through facing less stress. A Lebanese startup, Yallabus, has already been working for a few years now on creating an application that uses real-time data from each public bus in Lebanon to help people track their buses, plan their journeys and improve the existing transport services (Yallabus website). Nevertheless, to withstand the risks that may accompany using data from mobile phones, each individual should be asked for their consent before the collection such data.
Secondly, Lebanon’s 25 year civil war has left behind many missing people. In 2018, a new law was passed to set up a commission to investigate into the fate of the missing people to deal with the sensitivity of war related data. This decision may benefit specifically the people who lost dear members of their family or friends during the war for them to finally get closure on how and when they were killed, and if they were actually dead or not. Access to valuable information in this case may not necessarily improve the material and social conditions for everyone, but it does provide a large number of people with a sense of comfort.
Thirdly, while Lebanon is passing through a major financial and economic crisis at the moment, there should be more transparency as to where the citizens’ taxes are going. The key challenge to gaining such data would be the commodification of such data and the Neo-liberalization of government. Accessing such databases or datasets are not completely covered by Open Data Policies and Access to Information laws (Access Info & Open Knowledge Foundation, 2011, p.5). Also, the access to such information would be to the disadvantage of the Lebanese politicians who would not disclose details of the public deficit. If such information were to be made public to the mass, politicians could be held responsible and accountable of their actions.
Opening data is a first step towards empowering a population as a whole. However, many disadvantages may fall upon providing people with the ability to participate in this knowledge collection process such as the involvement of an element of dispossession where people’s lives may start to lose control over the ways their information and experiences are used. Those risks do not justify the withholding of certain kinds of information from the public because it is the public’s right to have access to information that could be used for research or to improve individuals’ well being or the state’s stability. One way the public could be provided with data without causing harm is to take consent before collecting data to ensure that the data used is public reach.
References:
Access Info & Open Knowledge Foundation. (2011). Beyond Access: Open Government Data & the Right to (Re)use Public Information. p. 5–6
Kitchin, R. (2014). The Data Revolution. London, Sage.
Open Data Institute. (May 2015). Who owns our Data Infrastructure, Prepared for the 3rd International Open Data Conference. Ottawa.
Thomson Reuters. (January 2017). Parliament maintains momentum on bills. Retrieved from: https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/legal/story/Parliament_maintains_momentum_on_bills-DS20012017_dsart-390194/
Yallabus. [Website]. Retrieved from: http://www.yallabus.com/
