Qatar’s Open data policy

The Open data policy is a framework designed to promote transparency, trust, and citizen engagement by providing public access to government data. Developed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in Qatar, the policy aligns with national goals to foster a knowledge-based society and enable innovation. The policy outlines how government agencies are to identify, assess, and release non-personal data in accessible and reusable formats while ensuring compliance with privacy, confidentiality, and security requirements.

The purpose of the Open data policy is to strengthen public trust in the government by sharing information openly and transparently. By releasing government-held datasets, it aims to empower individuals, businesses, and researchers to develop innovative solutions, enhance public service delivery, and contribute to economic and societal development. The policy also recognises the role of open data in fostering creativity and scientific discovery, particularly through tools and applications built on openly available information.

The scope of the policy includes all government entities that create, store, or manage data and information. It requires agencies to publish data unless there are compelling legal, privacy, or security reasons to restrict its release. The policy applies to the entire lifecycle of data management, from creation and collection to storage, processing, and publication. It explicitly excludes any datasets that may infringe upon privacy laws, copyright agreements, or national security considerations.

To achieve its goals, the policy establishes a set of provisions that guide the implementation of open data practices within government agencies. Each agency is required to designate a senior official to oversee the administration of open data and develop a comprehensive plan for publishing datasets. Agencies must also create an open data webpage to host their datasets, allowing the public to access and reuse the information freely. The data must be provided in machine-readable, open formats, such as CSV, JSON, or XML, ensuring usability and accessibility.

The policy emphasises public engagement by encouraging government agencies to collect feedback from citizens and businesses. Agencies are required to provide a forum where users can request additional datasets or provide suggestions for improving the quality and availability of information. Public inquiries must be addressed within a stipulated timeframe to ensure responsiveness and transparency.

To ensure compliance and progress, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology monitors the implementation of the policy. Government agencies are expected to perform regular self-assessments, measure their achievements against the policy’s targets, and report their progress. The ministry supports agencies by issuing supplemental guidelines, assessment tools, and best practices to facilitate effective adoption of open data initiatives.

The introduction of open data in Qatar marks an important step toward achieving the national vision of 2030. By unlocking government-held information, the policy paves the way for a more transparent and participatory governance model. It supports the development of digital solutions, encourages research and innovation, and contributes to a sustainable knowledge-based economy.

Objectives

• Identify and make freely available government data, except when restricted by privacy, confidentiality, or legal considerations.
• Strengthen transparency, trust, and public engagement through open government practices.
• Enable citizens to access government data for research, analysis, and feedback.
• Support public evaluation of government performance and promote efficient delivery of services.
• Encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and scientific discovery through open data-driven solutions and applications.

Key appendices

• Principles of open data: The document lists internationally recognised principles, such as accessibility, machine readability, and freedom from cost or reuse restrictions.
• The 5-star linked open data model: It outlines a framework developed by Tim Berners-Lee, encouraging progressive openness and usability of data.
• Open data assessment guidelines: These tools help agencies evaluate datasets for publication, ensuring they comply with privacy and security standards.
• Compliance checklist: A set of criteria for agencies to measure their progress in implementing the policy and maintaining open data practices.