Principles of Open Data Accessibility

The Governorate provides data in accordance with the Government Open Data Policy issued in June 2020.

1. Datasets made available should be as complete as possible, covering all details related to a specific topic. All necessary raw data should be published to the extent that it does not conflict with privacy and security requirements concerning personally identifiable information. There must also be a commitment to providing metadata that identifies the primary data and explains how any derived data was collected. This enables users to understand the scope of the available information and examine the data with the highest level of detail.
2. Providing data directly from the source without modification or summarization.
3. Making data available and updating it periodically based on its nature (at least annually). Whenever possible, data should be released immediately after collection, with priority given to time-sensitive data.
4. Ensuring permanent availability of data, along with version tracking and archiving over time. Any changes to the data must be clearly indicated, in accordance with the Law on Documents and Archives issued by Royal Decree No. 60/2007.
5. Ensuring easy access to and download of data, allowing users to download entire datasets at once (bulk download). Additionally, there must be a commitment to providing a means for requesting additional data through an Application Programming Interface (API).
6. Providing data in a structure or format that allows applications to read it automatically. Data in PDF format is typically difficult for automated systems to process. Therefore, the data should be made available in machine-readable formats such as XML, JSON, XLS, CSV, or any other compatible format.
7. Attaching a digital signature (such as using a tag) or providing proof of publication date, data accuracy, and integrity. A digital signature helps verify the authenticity of the data source and ensures that the data has not been altered after publication.
8. Providing the necessary documentation for datasets, including their formats, data definitions, and sufficient information to help users understand the meaning and accuracy of the open data. This documentation should be made available on official websites.
9. Making data permanently available to everyone at any time without requiring user identification (no need for registration) or justification for accessing the data.
10. Making data available to everyone without the need for a license or special permission.
11. Providing data without restrictions on its distribution and ensuring it is not subject to copyright, trademarks, patents, or trade secrets. It should be clearly indicated that this data is public information produced as part of government operations and is available without usage restrictions. Government entities should use open licenses to clarify usage terms, such as the Open Database License (ODbL), Creative Commons licenses, or the World Bank's Terms of Use.

Contact the Open Data Team