Browse >
/
kamagra tablets
April 21, 2010 by
Filed under ,
Google’s new tool, the , shows how often governments around the world request user information from Google. This is a change in perspective: we usually just focus on the right of citizens to request information of a government through . But citizens also have the right to know what information requests governments are making.
As the notes, even with the new tool, some information is still unavailable. The numbers available through the tool don’t tell the whole story:
First, Google’s tool only tracks requests that are received as part of an official criminal investigation — which would exclude, for example, the infamous , something that was not part of an official criminal investigation. Second, Google’s tool only counts the number of requests it receives, not the number of user records that were requested. So that single DOJ subpoena seeking millions of records would only counts as a single request! Finally, Google is barred by law from disclosing the number of requests it receives pursuant to National Security Letters, although we know that . All told, the requests that show up in Google’s tool are just the tip of the iceberg.
The National Security Letters, or NSLs, allow the FBI to compel internet service providers, libraries, banks, and credit reporting companies to turn over sensitive information about their patrons. The government can then compile vast dossiers on innocent people. Before an ACLU lawsuit (Doe v. Holder), the FBI had the power to prohibit NSL recipients from telling anyone that the government has secretly requested customer Internet records at all.
It’s interesting to note the vast discrepancy in power between the government and every other actor in this story. The government can request private, sensitive information about any citizen, and then compel the source of the information to stay silent about the request. The information will most likely be granted. On the other hand, citizens and journalists may or not get the information they request, with or without the help of governments. The ACLU calls the tool .
The Google Government requests tool may only be a window, but it may also be a first step to a more open government in an area not normally focused on. Citizens should have the opportunity for having as much information on their side as governments do, and this tool is the first step towards addressing goal.
What do you think? Is this an exciting path towards the transparency we want? We want to hear your views on Google’s new tool.
kamagra tablets
April 16, 2010 by
Filed under ,
Along the same lines of the I blogged about yesterday, the has come out with an interesting study on states providing online access to government data, concluding that there are no downsides to online in a searchable format, there are only benefits.
In , the authors aim to provide a benchmark for comparing states in their individual road to providing government data online. They start by highlighting several key points about transparency in general. Among these:
*The movement toward Transparency 2.0 is broad, bipartisan, and popular.
*Transparency 2.0 saves money and bolsters citizen confidence.
*Even in leading states, there are many opportunities to improve transparency Web sites.
What does the study propose? Simply put, more—more information, more usability. The study outlines three criteria for Transparency 2.0. First, the portal a government posts its data on should be comprehensive, including all spending data for all levels of government. Second, it should provide all of this information in one site, not make you jump around to partner sites. Lastly, the information and search functions must be user-friendly, allowing citizens to enter a single query or browse common-sense categories.
The study also highlights innovative governments that get creative. , for example, recently launched DataSF, a searchable Web site that provides data on a variety of city issues and allows users to comment on and rank the datasets with the hope of improving government performance in the future. The Web site also provides mobile phone apps that integrate the data and provide residents with useful tools. We at Sunshine Review love that sort of , , , , , , , ,
kamagra tablets
March 31, 2010 by
Filed under ,
in is a great example of how a little innovation in transparency can go a long way. .
This isn’t innovative in the sense that the county has invented a new tool, but it does mean that the county is using technology it to collaborate with citizens. Now, citizens that are interested in becoming engaged in local politics but are too busy with their daily lives can watch council meetings from home and experience government as if they were physically at the meetings. The fact that the county is streaming its meetings is symbolic of the county’s is readiness to open its doors and invite citizens in.
In terms of inventing new tools, is moving forward. Top officials in government are working on a “National Dashboard for Open Data.” This project would put together available data from governments, but present it in a usable format that citizens and policy makers could use with ease. The officials involved in very preliminary brainstorms for such a project include San Francisco CIO Chris Vein, Beth Noveck, Obama’s deputy CTO for open government, and Federal CIO Vivek Kundra. One plan for furthering this project would involve such as the National Association of Counties and the National Governors Association.
This is only an idea right now, but there is little doubt that it is possible. What could be potentially in doubt is whether the participating government agencies would be transparent… about the creation of the transparency tool. With taxpayer-funded lobbying associations, which have to and hardly ever do it , this may be a great opportunity to get them to practice what they preach.
Regardless, it seems that innovation in transparency will continue, inspiring some governments to take small steps with big and symbolic outcomes, and improving the quality of the information we already have. We look forward to seeing what comes next.
kamagra tablets
March 11, 2010 by
Filed under ,
Today, the reports that the Obama administration is proposed by the Bush administration that expanded the financial disclosure statements required of labor unions.
Critics note the rules were rolled back while the Obama administration was seeking more stringent regulation of corporate America. This is inconsistent, making some charge that the administration is giving “preferential treatment” to unions.
Besides that, Rep. John Kline of Minnesota notes that rescinding and revoking those rules makes it more difficult for union workers to see how their dues are spent. Mr. Kline said to Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis that Mr. Obama had “made it a point on a number of occasions to talk about this administration wanting to be the .”
Mrs. Solis told the congressman that transparency was the goal, but the department did not want to “overburden a system where information that was previously asked for may not be of much importance or significance.” . The focus of transparency and open government is empowering citizens with information, not giving public officials an easy time.
Because the President has made a point to promise to claim he’ll have “the most open and transparent” administration in history,” , it is important for citizens like you and I to hold him to his promise and continue reminding him of it.
But all isn’t cloudy on Obama’s sunshine promises. Last week, President Barack Obama announced that he would be appointing to the independent panel that advises the Accountability and Transparency Board. Many people are about this, including the . Tufte is a renown information designer, which means the White House’s transparency effort may see some of that we’ve been waiting for.
kamagra tablets
March 1, 2010 by
Filed under ,
When thinking about transparency, we often think in terms of the benefits that will come to private citizens. However, there are many direct benefits for governments and officials, including , .
The innovation is already under way as governments and private companies look to cell phone programs, known as “apps” (short for “applications”) to make transparency easier, as smart phones are expected to become the dominant platform to access the Web. DotGov, Inc. is to interact with and benefit from all the information and services that local governments offer. The company plans to launch its app in May 2010.
One of my biggest gripes against many well-intentioned transparency projects is their lack of : either the platform the information is released on is confusing, or the information itself is too raw to interpret. But innovation is starting to touch this problem, too. A $30,000 prize by iStrategy Labs worked to motivate that help with usability issues, and the results were apps valued at $2.6 million.
It seems that expectations are changing. Now, we ask not just that the government give us information, but that it help us use it. The questions becomes one of making available information better, as opposed to making that information available.
Still, , and any government that deserves praise.
kamagra tablets
February 25, 2010 by
Filed under ,
is really taking transparency to heart. He’s taking part in a series of talks around the state that invite citizens and the media to suggest improvements to the state’s sunshine law.
The Attorney General is “very eager to hear people’s experiences and take input.” A great idea, since the one thing people want when they are upset or frustrated is a sympathetic ear. The people in attendance for this first talk were happy to have an outlet for their concerns, while a handful tried to point fingers about alleged corruption in the court system.
Still, the general feeling of the citizens in attendance was one of collaboration with the government. One citizen said “It’s not a matter of pointing fingers, it’s ‘let’s be as transparent as possible.’”
The talk went on in the same vein of constructive progress. Attendees made suggestions about how to improve , including putting public records online, cutting fees and limiting what sometimes can be lengthy responses to public-record requests.
The attorney general’s office has taken several steps to promote . Kroger’s office has put public records and meetings manuals online, created a citizens guide to public records and meetings for laypersons, and has posted records requests online, among other things. A last step to improve Oregon’s law, according to Kroger, is to take suggestions from the public meetings to the Legislature.
This is exactly the type of personal initiative we believe in at Sunshine Review. Attorney General Kroger takes it one step further by actually asking to hear from people who have experience requesting information. And we think it pays off; the option is either becoming a transparent government voluntarily, or waiting too long until your legitimacy takes a hit and you’re .
