Table of contents
- What are open data and why they really matter
- What makes data truly “open”
- Open data and reuse: real opportunities
- Formats, licenses, and responsibility
- Why open data are a strategic resource
Have you ever tried to find reliable public data to make a decision, develop a project, or simply understand how a service that affects you work without knowing where to find those data or whether you are actually allowed to use them?
Have you ever downloaded a file from an institutional website and wondered if it was up to date, editable, or usable for commercial purposes, or whether you might be violating unclear or hidden rules?
These questions are more common than you might think. We live in an age where data are everywhere, yet they are not always accessible, reusable, or truly useful. This is exactly where open data come into play one of the most important drivers of transparency, innovation, and the development of new products and services.
In this article, we explain in a simple and practical way what open data are, what open data mean in everyday practice, which rules they must follow, and why they represent a strategic resource not only for public administrations, but also for companies, professionals, and citizens.
What are open data and why they really matter
When people talk about open data, they often think of something highly technical or reserved for specialists. In reality, open data are data that must be accessible to everyone, without economic or legal barriers, and that can be used, reused, and redistributed freely.
In other words, open data are not just data published online. To be considered truly open, data must be made available according to specific criteria: they must be open, machine-readable, up to date, and available in a useful and editable format.
Example
This means avoiding locked PDFs and preferring structured data formats such as CSV files, JSON, or XML.
The value of open data lies not only in access, but in the ability to create knowledge, innovative services, and practical tools from open datasets coming from different sources, such as public authorities, universities, research institutes, or international organizations.
What makes data truly “open”
Not all freely accessible data are automatically open data. According to the Open Definition, promoted by the Open Knowledge Foundation, data are open when they can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone, for any purpose.
This implies several key requirements:
- data must be freely usable, including for commercial purposes
- it must be possible to cite the source, without imposing restrictive constraints
- there must be no limitations such as a non-commercial clause, which would make the dataset only partially open
- data must be fully accessible (full open) and not fragmented
Example
A dataset that prohibits commercial use cannot be considered fully open. This distinction is crucial for startups, companies, and developers who want to build products and services based on data.
Open data and reuse: real opportunities
One of the most interesting aspects of open data is their reuse potential. When data can be processed, combined, and analyzed, they become a powerful tool for informed decision-making.
Think about data on urban traffic, pollution levels, public spending, or tourism flows. If these data are made openly available, they enable the development of applications, studies, analytical services, and digital solutions that improve everyday life.
From a business perspective, open data provide a valuable foundation for market analysis, predictive models, and new business models, reducing the cost of accessing information and increasing competitiveness.
Formats, licenses, and responsibility
A frequently underestimated aspect concerns data formats and licensing. Publishing data without clearly stating how they can be used creates uncertainty and discourages adoption.
Open datasets must therefore be accompanied by clear licenses that specify what is allowed and what is not. In most cases, the main obligation is to cite the source, ensuring transparency and traceability.
This balance between freedom and responsibility is what makes open data a reliable, sustainable, and truly useful resource over time.
Why open data are a strategic resource
Understanding what open data are today means recognizing a cultural shift as much as a technological one. Making data accessible is not just a technical choice, but a commitment to openness, collaboration, innovation, and trust.
For citizens, businesses, and institutions alike, open data represent a concrete opportunity to reduce information asymmetries, improve services, and build solutions based on verifiable data. In a world increasingly driven by information, knowing what open data are and how to use them is becoming a key skill.
