Taking part

open data

Government information published in machine-readable form for anyone to use, without a request and without restrictions on reuse.

In full

Open data turns transparency from a right to ask into a default to publish. Federal policy under the OPEN Government Data Act requires agencies to publish data assets in open formats with metadata, catalogued at data.gov. It is the reason independent sites can analyze spending, votes, and regulations without filing a records request.

Where to go next

government transparency Freedom of Information Act primary source Our data sources

Written from USA.gov, Branches of the U.S. Government

Keep going

Browse every term in the glossary, or see the vocabulary in motion in the How government works walkthroughs.

A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.