2015: TACOD – Promoting Open Data as a Tool to Detect and Prevent Corruption in Europe. Analysis of law, practice, public perception and impact in four EU countries

Implementation: Mathias Huter, Mag. (FH), MA
Funded by: European Commission/ ISEC within the framework programme
"Prevention of and Fight against Crime" via RiSSC
Partners: Research Centre on Security and Crime – RiSSC (IT)
Transparency International Italia
Transparency International United Kingdom
Centre for the Study of Corruption and Transparency, Kellogg College der University of Oxford
University of Nottingham
Blomeyer & Sanz (ES)
Completed in: June 2015
Website: http://tacod.eu

The project studied the current use of publicly accessible information and published government data (Open Data), in particular by civil society actors and journalists, and its possible impact on the prevention and identification of corruption in four EU member states (Italy, the UK, Spain, and Austria).

In the individual countries, the following dimensions were analysed and compared:

  • Legal frameworks including freedom of information laws and provisions for a proactive publication of relevant administration information;

  • Extent and quality of data and information available in practice, as well as their relevance regarding the fight against and prevention of corruption;

  • Description of stakeholders using this information and their views on the effects and potential of Open Data regarding the reduction of corruption;

  • Conclusions and recommendations on how to strengthen the potential of Open Data in the field of anti-corruption measures and how to benefit from it.

The research report concluded that in Austria, publicly accessible information and Open Data de facto have no role in the prevention and identification of corruption so far. To change this, the report recommended a number of measures, amongst others the introduction of a strong freedom of information law and the automatic publication of information on public subsidies, procurement and privatisation. The report also emphasised that Austria so far has no national strategy regarding transparency in administration and Open Data.

Data-based investigative journalism and civil society organisations in the field of anti-corruption are underdeveloped compared to international standards not only because access to relevant information is often lacking, but also because funding for non-profit actors is insufficient.