Access

[Aki Namioka]

I know exactly why most agencies don't put their information on the web -
there are huge privacy issues and fear of inapprorpiate information
getting out of control.  Its a mess and hard to deal with.  Government
agencies do not store, maintain, nor safeguard information for public
consumption.  Most of their databases were created to do government
business - allowing public access was not in the original spec.  There are
also flaws in laws that dictate what is public information - for example,
in Washington State - your birth certificate is public information.
Anybody in theory should be able to get a copy.  Do you want this
information made public for all to see?  I don't.  Even though this
information is "public" the State will not issue a copy of the certificate
unless they are somewhat confident that you have a "right" to that
information (e.g. you are the individual or close relative).  They are
probably not going to put birth records on the internet in the near term.
There are a gazillion cases like this in government data stores - unless
there are better laws protecting personal privacy and defining public
information I like the fact that government agencies are conservative with
their information - they are at least taking stewardship a little more
seriously.

Thanks,
Aki Helen Namioka
aki at cpsr.org

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