UK government Red Tape Challenge - Disruptive Business Models - Data Liberation | Hacker News Reader

UK government Red Tape Challenge - Disruptive Business Models - Data Liberation

redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

13 pointsdanmux10 comments

The UK Government is coud sourcing opinions about what red tape should be removed to encourage disruptive business models. I say we have a right to access the data we have created in an easy seamless way - in a way that is machine readable. Everyone who holds data on us should be compelled to offer that data back to us via API's

I agree. I also have serious concerns about keeping my data private. I don't want anyone to be able to access my data. But, having said that, there are a bunch of government databases that are unconnected and it'd be great if I could give them permission to talk to each other; that'd mean I could do a bunch of stuff (report changes in my circumstances to 6 different benefit providers and the tax people) with just one phone call instead of the 11 calls it takes now.

Maybe what's really needed is a better encryption / permission model?

Agree - privacy is a huge concern, the default situation should be strictly private. But it should also be up to us to decide who we grant access to our data.

I dont just mean government held data - but data the supermarket holds or the bank etc.

I want to be able to see my Nectar data alongside my bank data in a google spreadsheet or any other service that I trust.

This initiative is going to drown in poorly reasoned comments. They need some kind of karma system for filtering otherwise it's going nowhere. I read the first 7 or so comments and apart from the first one they seem to be poorly argued whining about regulations which I think most people are very happy to have. E.g. IMHO the no cold calling without my permission regulation is very good.

Yep - I'm not convinced the site as it is - is the best format. It could end up being spammed I suppose. perhaps the number of comments on each comment would be a kind of karma system.

Yes you will get the "nutters" and the usual suspects that claim that red tape straggling their business as it wont the then to behave like complete shits to people.

The UK tax system is a mess.

The UK benefits system is a mess.

Sorting both of these out would reduce costs; increase productivity; get people back to work; make life for businesses easier; etc etc.

I agree with you, but I also think it would be interesting if they opened up data more like the transcribing of court appearances (a bit like the government), perhaps give data access to post codes (which is by subscription atm). How about more abstract things like data from speed cameras? I guess you could use it to calculate the traffic on every main road that has a speed camera.

There was a recent statement on the plans to open up more data sets - see http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resource...

so the public should subside your business by giving you free data - want to tell the pensioners come next election that their post office is closed so that two guys and a pantomime horse in islington can play at being a "startup"

I Dont think that David Cameron is that stupid - the libdems on the other hand.

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