This week in data – 6 September: Each week, we compile the best stories in data. Get up to speed on this week in data without having to search for it.

What’s better than having data? Managing it.

So we all know having information is great. But keeping it maintained? That’s a different story. This piece over at Forbes look at why maintaining your information is so critical, especially when it’s tied to three key objectives: revenue, costs, and compliance. What happens when your governance layer falls down? Well, those three pillars tend to deteriorate. At the very least, they expose risk. This one’s a must-read.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Ultimately, good data governance practices should achieve and maintain coherence and consistency across all the data assets used by the company.”

Australia unveils completely new data laws

Wow. More going on down under. The Government has unveiled a new data framework (in a discussion paper) to house its varying pieces of ongoing work. It also proposes there should be a new regulator – an evolution of the National Data Commissioner – to become an independent statutory body. That’s a big deal, because it would have new authority to chase after wrongdoers. 

But the big win here for the government, if this passes, is to enable government agencies to share more information than ever before. Agencies won’t have to share information, but it’ll be much easier. 

THE TAKEAWAY:

“By early next year the government plans to have drafted data sharing legislation and will conduct a further eight week consultation. The final legislation will be introduced to parliament by mid 2020, according to the government.”

The better the data, the better your innovation

Speaking of Australia, Mats Henrikson from the CSIRO’s Data61 division argues in this piece that governments should be investing more in data-rich programs to help solve key problems. He points to the use of a National Drought Map and projects like Australia’s renewable energy mapping infrastructure as north stars.

The richer the data, he says, the better the outcome. We wholeheartedly agree.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“Initiatives such as the National Innovation and Science Agenda Platforms for Open Data, aim to facilitate the use of open government data by providing better search and discovery of more high-value datasets meaning more people have access to higher quality data while retaining privacy.”

Airbnb settles with city of Boston

The accommodation sharing business has reached an agreement with Boston over what the company said was a “draconian” regulation. The gist: the company would be forced to share data with Boston, and be forced to remove listings. Boston just wants illegal listings to…not be on the site. 

Anyway, they’re playing nice now. But it does show the increasing role these sharing and gig-economy apps have in the broader ways the economy and information intersect with government.

THE TAKEAWAY:

“The settlement comes more than a year after the city first passed regulations on short-term rentals. The new rules took effect on Jan. 1, but the provisions on data-sharing and illegal listings had been held up in court due to the lawsuit.”

That’s our wrap for this week. Thanks for reading – we hope you found it entertaining and informational. We’d love to hear your thoughts on these articles and anything else data related! Email us anytime at enquiries@datarepublic.com!