YaTTI
Open data is information that anyone can access, use, and share. It’s machine-readable, free to download, and comes with permission to reuse for any purpose. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a public library—but instead of books, you get datasets about everything from weather patterns to government spending.
When data is truly open, it meets these criteria: - Accessible: Available online without barriers - Machine-readable: In formats computers can process (CSV, JSON, XML—not PDFs!) - Free: No cost to access or use - Reusable: Clear license allowing any use, including commercial - Complete: The full dataset, not just samples - Timely: Updated regularly and available promptly - Non-discriminatory: Same access for everyone
GPS satellites were launched for military use, but opening their data created a $1.4 trillion location services industry. Weather data enables everything from farming apps to flight planning. When governments open data, entrepreneurs build solutions.
When government budgets are open, citizens can track spending. When court records are accessible, journalists can expose corruption. When environmental data is public, communities can monitor pollution. Transparency through data is democracy in action.
Scientists sharing data can build on each other’s work. Open climate data helps researchers worldwide understand local impacts. Open health data (properly anonymized) accelerates medical breakthroughs. Collaboration beats competition for solving humanity’s challenges.
Cities using open transit data see developers create journey planning apps. Hospitals sharing wait times help patients choose where to go. Schools publishing performance data help parents make informed decisions. Open data makes services work better for everyone.
Challenge: Personal information must be protected. Solution: - Anonymization techniques removing identifying information - Aggregation to statistical levels - Clear policies on what cannot be opened - Indonesian Personal Data Protection Law compliance
Challenge: Poor quality data can mislead. Solution: - Metadata explaining collection methods - Version control showing updates - Community validation and feedback - Clear documentation of limitations
Challenge: Companies profiting from public data without giving back. Solution: - Licenses requiring attribution - Share-alike provisions - Building public alternatives to commercial services - Ensuring public access remains free
Challenge: Not everyone can use complex datasets. Solution: - Simple visualization tools - Mobile-friendly access - Training programs - Intermediary organizations helping communities
Challenge: Some knowledge belongs to specific communities. Solution: - CARE principles (Collective benefit, Authority, Responsibility, Ethics) - Prior informed consent - Benefit sharing agreements - Respecting cultural protocols
“Open data threatens privacy”: Properly anonymized data protects individuals while enabling insights.
“Only techies can use it”: Many tools make data accessible to everyone. Start simple.
“It’s too expensive”: The cost of closed data—corruption, inefficiency, missed opportunities—is far higher.
“Our data isn’t good enough”: Perfect is the enemy of good. Start sharing, improve iteratively.
“No one will use it”: Build it and they will come—but listen to user needs.
We practice what we preach: - Our code is open source - Our research
is openly published
- Our data is freely available - Our methods are documented - Our impact
is measurable
Every dataset we open is an invitation for innovation. Every API we provide is infrastructure for Indonesia’s digital future.
Find one government dataset relevant to your work. Use it. Share what you learn.
Learn a basic data tool: Excel, Google Sheets, or simple visualization platforms.
Advocate for open data in your organization. Start with one dataset you can share.
Build something using open data. Solve a local problem. Share your solution.
Imagine Indonesian farmers checking soil data on their phones to optimize harvests. Picture students analyzing local economic data for school projects. See entrepreneurs building businesses on open government APIs. Watch communities using environmental data to protect their resources.
This isn’t fantasy—it’s happening now, and accelerating. But reaching full potential requires everyone’s participation. Governments must open their vaults, businesses must contribute not just consume, researchers must share not hoard, and citizens must engage not just observe.
Open data is more than a technical standard—it’s a democratic principle. In an age where data is power, open data distributes that power. It’s how we ensure the digital revolution benefits everyone, not just the connected few.
Join the movement. Use open data. Contribute open data. Demand open data.
Because closed data serves the few. Open data serves us all.
“Data terbuka, peluang terbuka” (Open data, open opportunities)
YaTTI
