G8 leaders sign up to Open Data Charter

All government data to be published openly by default by the end of 2015

G8 leaders have signed an Open Data Charter, in which all nations involved have agreed to "establish an expectation that all government data be published openly by default".

All eight nations attended a summit in Northern Ireland which was chaired by UK prime minister David Cameron.

After the event, the government published an Open Data Charter document detailing what the nations had agreed to.

As part of the agreements, open data will be published on a national portal so that it can easily be found in one place. The data has to be available in "convenient open formats" to ensure that it can be downloaded, retrieved, indexed and searched for by all commonly used web search applications.

"The world is witnessing the growth of a global movement facilitated by technology and social media and fuelled by information - one that contains enormous potential to create more accountable, efficient, responsive and effective governments and businesses, and to spur economic growth. Open data sits at the heart of this global movement," the Open Data Charter policy document states.

The data that the G8 nations believe are of "high value" include those on crime statistics, weather, businesses, health, finance and government accountability.

The policy document adds that access to data would enable individuals and organisations to innovate with the further insights that they gain, which in turn can improve the lives of others and help to improve the flow of information within and between countries.

"While governments and businesses collect a wide range of data, they do not always share this data in ways that are easily discoverable, usable or understandable by the public," the policy document reads.

It adds that there may be legitimate reasons why some data cannot be released.

The Open Data Charter involves five principles which are to be adhered to by all G8 governments: open data by default, quality and quantity of data, data that is useable by all, releasing data for improved governance, and releasing data for innovation.

G8 members are to develop action plans by the end of 2013, with a view to implement the charter by the end of 2015 at the latest. Progress will be reviewed at the G8's next meeting in 2014.