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This section introduces the concept of Open Government Data, including its policies, laws, and benefits. It outlines the nine core principles of open data and the general rules for its use. Additionally, this section discusses individuals' rights to access and use Open Government Data, the quality standards based on the Open Data Standards Guide, and the relevant open data portals. It also provides insights into statistical data related to open data quality benchmarks offered by the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia.
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Open Government Data refers to data provided by government agencies that can be freely accessed, used, and redistributed by the public without technological, financial, or legal restrictions, provided users adhere to the open data license terms. The purpose of this data is to:
Open government data plays a vital role in bridging the gap between the government and the community. It empowers citizens and experts to use data in several ways, such as:
Many government agencies release data to achieve various objectives, such as:
Open data policies are guided by key principles designed to ensure transparency, encourage innovation, and foster community participation. These principles include:
Accessibility: Data should be publicly available to all, except for legal or security reasons.
Open and Machine-Readable Format: Data must be provided in formats that facilitate machine processing.
Data Timeliness: Data should be updated regularly to maintain its relevance and accuracy.
Data Inclusiveness: A wide range of data should be made available to serve various user needs.
Equality of Access: Data should be accessible to all without discrimination.
Free Access: Data should be available at no cost to the public.
Clear Licensing: Data must be published under a transparent, open data license that respects intellectual property rights.
Citizen Engagement: Open data policies should encourage citizen participation in data development and governance.
Support for Development and Innovation: Open data should contribute to economic, social, and technological development.
These principles reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to creating an open data environment that benefits individuals and organizations while promoting transparency and sustainable growth.
In accordance with the Council of Ministers' Decision No. (292) dated 27/04/1441 AH, Article 10 outlines that the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is responsible for establishing policies and governance mechanisms related to data and artificial intelligence. SDAIA also ensures compliance with these policies. These governance measures are applicable to all government agencies and extend to private sector partners dealing with government data. These regulations cover all forms of data, including paper records, digital communications, social media exchanges, and more.
For additional details, please click here.
Saudi Arabia is committed to transparency and improving citizens' access to reliable government data. To this end, comprehensive policies and regulations have been developed. SDAIA regulates data management and governance at the national level. Key components of the National Data Governance Framework include:
Data Classification Policies: These policies ensure sensitive information is protected and access is provided based on the data's importance.
Data Sharing Policies: These policies promote the exchange of data between government and private sectors to improve institutional collaboration.
Data Privacy Legislation: This legislation ensures the protection of individuals' rights and the confidentiality of personal information.
Information Freedom Laws: These laws guarantee citizens' rights to access government data transparently.
Open Data Policies: These support the publication of government data to promote innovation, research, and the digital economy.
These frameworks are part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to position itself as a global leader in data management and digital innovation.
SDAIA, through the NDMO, has adopted the Controls and Specifications for Open Data, a comprehensive framework for data governance. This framework defines the roles and responsibilities of various entities involved in managing and publishing government data, ensuring its accessibility, security, and quality. The key agencies involved in this process include:
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA): Responsible for overall data governance.
National Data Management Office (NDMO): Develops technical and operational controls for open data.
National Information Center (NIC): Provides technical support and manages the data infrastructure.
Government agencies are required to develop open data plans, which include identifying datasets to publish, maintaining them, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance with governance standards.
For detailed information about the framework and its specifications, please click here.
Saudi Arabia's Open Data Strategy aims to empower individuals, institutions, and the wider community by providing access to valuable and reusable data. The strategy supports enhanced transparency, stimulates innovation, and fosters collaboration across sectors, contributing to the development of a data-driven economy.
Strategic Vision
Maximize the economic impact of open data on Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Mission
Provide high-value and reusable open data to enhance transparency and stimulate innovation through collaboration in order to support a data-driven economy.
To realize this vision and mission effectively, five main strategic objectives guide the implementation of the Open Data Strategy:
Strategic Planning and Governance: Develop strategic plans, manage programs, and design projects to lead the open data ecosystem in coordination with stakeholders and strategic partners.
Policy Development: Establish, manage, and publish policies that create a compliant, robust open data environment.
Compliance and Standards: Define standards, manage licenses, and implement review mechanisms to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to open data regulations.
Technologies and Operations: Support the implementation of technical and operational solutions that enhance open data management capabilities and ensure effective delivery.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building: Promote stakeholder participation and build capacity through awareness initiatives, training programs, and knowledge-sharing to foster innovation and increase understanding of open data.
These strategic objectives will be achieved through the implementation of:
For additional information about the current Open Data Strategy, please visit the following link. To view and explore the previous Open Data Strategies, please visit the following link.
The Open Data License applies to all datasets published on Saudi Arabia's official open data platforms. This license allows users to share, use, modify, and reuse published datasets freely within the conditions specified in the license terms.
The license governs the use of the dataset as a whole, but it does not automatically cover individual content elements within the dataset (such as images, audio, or video materials). In such cases, additional licenses may apply to specific content components.
Users should also be aware that certain rights may not be covered by this license, including:
Therefore, users are encouraged to review any applicable legal documents or meet additional conditions before using data in ways not explicitly permitted by the Open Data License.
Permissions Granted Under the Open Data License:
Sharing: Reproduce, publish, use, and reuse datasets freely.
Production: Create new works derived from the dataset.
Adaptation: Modify, enhance, and build upon datasets to develop new and innovative solutions.
User Obligations:
Attribution: Acknowledge the source of the dataset when using or creating derivative works, following the terms specified in the license.
License Disclosure: Specify the type of license when sharing datasets or derivative works with others.
Preservation of Notices: Retain all original notices regarding usage rights without alteration or removal.
This licensing framework ensures flexibility for users while safeguarding legal rights and ensuring compliance with data protection and intellectual property regulations. It fosters an environment that encourages innovation and the responsible use of open data.
The National Open Data Platform is an integrative and pioneering initiative launched by Saudi Arabia to enhance transparency, encourage public participation, and stimulate innovation across various sectors. By making government data from ministries and authorities publicly available, the platform enables citizens, researchers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to access, use, and benefit from data to support the development of innovative solutions, services, and informed decision-making.
Advantages of the Open Data Platform
The platform offers a wide range of features designed to facilitate access and encourage the reuse of government datasets:
Central Access Point: Provides a unified and user-friendly interface that allows users to explore, download, and reuse datasets published by government agencies.
Advanced Search Options: Users can locate data efficiently using multiple search criteria, including:
Organizations: Filter datasets by the publishing government entity.
Collections: Access data categorized by specific themes or topics.
Tags: Search using relevant keywords for targeted results.
Data Formats: Select datasets in various formats to facilitate analysis and processing.
Geographic Information System (GIS) Data: Access to GIS datasets supports the development of advanced spatial applications and geographic analyses.
Request New Datasets: Users are encouraged to submit formal requests to publish additional datasets from relevant government entities, helping expand the scope of publicly available data.
The National Open Data Platform is vital in supporting Saudi Arabia's data-driven economy by enabling individuals, institutions, and the wider community to leverage government data for research, service development, and innovative solutions.
To maximize the benefits of open government data and enhance transparency, the National Open Data Platform hosts an open data repository. This repository serves as a comprehensive and centralized record of datasets published by government agencies and made available through the platform.
The repository includes a detailed data dictionary, providing clear and standardized documentation for each dataset. This includes:
This level of detail allows users to browse and analyze datasets more accurately and efficiently.
In line with best practices for data quality and management, government agencies are required to:
This standardized approach ensures consistency, improves data usability, and supports the creation of an efficient and transparent open data environment that fosters data-driven innovation and informed decision-making.
The National Open Data Platform offers comprehensive Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for use by developers, entrepreneurs, and institutions. These APIs provide seamless access to a wide range of government datasets, offering valuable opportunities for creating innovative applications and services that benefit citizens, residents, and businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Developers are encouraged to refer to the Open Data API Usage Guide available on the platform to make the most of these resources.
Many government platforms integrated with the National Open Data Platform provide instant data through APIs, offering real-time access to accurate and up-to-date information. This capability supports timely decision-making, enhances service delivery, and enables the development of dynamic technical solutions.
Users can explore a wide range of instant data provided by various government agencies by browsing the datasets and utilizing the search filter to select the "Instant Data" option. This feature ensures quick and efficient access to essential information, helping accelerate processes and improve outcomes.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has developed a comprehensive Open Data Toolkit to promote a open data culture in Saudi Arabia. This toolkit provides a clear and practical framework to support government agencies and other entities in understanding open data policies and implementing effective open data programs.
The toolkit offers an integrated, step-by-step approach that enables organizations to:
As part of its resources, the toolkit includes a Data Quality Guide, which offers detailed and practical guidance to ensure the quality and integrity of datasets. It covers:
By following the guidelines, government agencies can ensure transparency, enhance data reliability, and contribute to a robust and sustainable open data ecosystem.
In its efforts to foster an active open data community, SDAIA organizes a diverse range of Open Data Events, including hackathons, workshops, and specialized training programs. These events aim to raise awareness, build capacity, and promote the effective use of open data across different sectors.
The events are designed for various audiences, including:
Key Topics Covered:
These events emphasize practical engagement through hands-on sessions and collaborative activities, encouraging the exchange of experiences and insights. Participants are also introduced to best international practices in innovative ways to define, share, and utilize open data.
For more information on current and previous competitions, hackathons, and events, please visit the following link.
The Saudi government invites individuals, businesses, and organizations to explore and leverage datasets available through the National Open Data Platform, including APIs, to develop innovative applications and services that improve the quality of life for the community.
For inspiration and to learn about successful use cases of open data, users can explore a growing library of applications and initiatives made possible through open government data. These stories highlight the tangible impact of data reuse in areas such as public services, economic development, and social innovation.
You are also encouraged to share your success stories and submit your use cases via the platform to contribute to the open data community and inspire others to create meaningful solutions. To explore these stories or submit your own, please click on the following link.
The Request or Suggest a Dataset service enables individuals, businesses, and organizations to request specific datasets from government and private sector entities. Through the dedicated platform link, users can:
Once a request is submitted, the proposed datasets are published on the platform for the community to vote on, helping to prioritize data publication based on public interest and need.
All government agencies receiving these requests are committed to:
This service helps expand the scope of open data offerings, enhances transparency, and strengthens engagement between government entities and the broader community.
