Open Data Man - how open is too open?

Open Data is dear to my heart. It is the idea that raw data should be public published, free of restrictions, and in a form that is most usable for others.

When people talk about Open Data, they usually mean "Data that has been paid for by tax-payers" - often data created or collected by Government agencies. But it also extends to the data used by researchers, scientists, economists and any other organisation which wants us to take them seriously. Some private companies also release Open Data - knowing that a level playing-field is good for ecosystem health.

What about individuals? Is it sensible, desirable, or useful for us to release our personal data as Open Data?

Last year, at Open Data Camp I ran a session about what data I release and what the implications are for my personal safety, security, and mental well-being.

First, for the hard-of-thinking, I am not suggesting you do anything you don't want. I'm also in no position to compel you to do anything. If you don't like my ideas, close the tab and write something better.

Right, still here? OK.

We all leave little trails of data with every online interaction. Yes, I know you use a VPN, and TOR, and Incognito mode - but those are all still part of a digital footprint. Here I'm mostly concerned with the intentional release of data.

Most of the data we intentionally release is highly curated. You post about your new job on LinkedIn - but you don't mention the 50 rejections leading up to it. Your online restaurant reviews make it sound like you only go to fancy joints with cool lighting and ethical menus - you don't post about the shameful 3am kebab from that dodgy van.

If you're using FourSquare or similar services, you're deliberately releasing a log of where you've been and at what time you were there. Even if you post a photo of a gig the day after it happened, it's trivial to locate you at that moment.

Some people are very open with their intimate medical data. I'm not. I haven't released a 3D model of my teeth - perhaps out of fear someone will use it to bite other people. Similarly, I haven't released my MRI scans just in case someone clones my brain.

So what about raw data?

I release my home's Solar Generation Statistics as raw & open data. They're useful enough to be cited in several academic papers.

I release my energy consumption (at 30 minute granularity) to The Living Lab so they can build up a model of how normal people use electricity and gas. I trust them not to abuse it, but I'm cognisant they can see when I'm away or when I'm cooking. Do I want you to know that as well?

The discussion we held was wide ranging. Some people want the world to know about them and their problems, others value their privacy. It's an individual choice. It is a discussion you should have with those around you - especially if they're leaking your data.

I am indebted to the wonderful Drawnalism rendering me in the style of da Vinci's Vitruvian Man.

You can read the full write-up of the session on the Open Data Camp blog.