Open data today and tomorrow: the present challenges and possibilities of open data

Abstract

This paper argues that because of the present challenges of open data, existing datasets such as governmental open data are limiting the potential possibilities of open data application development. The primary challenges in using open data are the formats in which open data are made available, the digital literacy required to exploit it, and the copyright issues that arise from commercial use. Hackathons provide some creative solutions but are reserved for the ‘techno-elite’. In contrast, a new trend is developing in sensor-based purpose-gathered citizen-led open data that can be used to create meaningful interactions with participants and develop open data applications and systems that can serve a particular local area and group of people. This paper draws from the experiences of the members of the London-based collective Cybersalon and the 2014-2015 HyperHabitat series of events, projects, presentations, and hackathons that investigated the changing nature of our living environments.