Governments around the world have adopted digital strategies to collect, share and analyze data that can inform public policies in real time.
*By Ana Claudia Donner Abreu
With the exponential growth of digitalization and data collection, public administrations around the world have begun to realize the potential of the data economy as an essential resource for public policymaking. A well-structured data economy enables governments to make more informed, efficient and targeted decisions based on concrete evidence collected from large volumes of data.
The data economy refers to the production, collection, processing and use of data as an economic asset. In a public policy context, this means that governments use data as a basis for creating, implementing and evaluating their policies. The relevance of this concept lies in the fact that it provides an empirical basis for decision-making, which can result in greater accuracy and effectiveness of the policies adopted.
Governments around the world have adopted digital strategies to collect, share and analyze data that can inform public policies in real time. Technological advancements not only facilitate data collection, but also enable more accurate and faster analysis of this information, allowing governments to adapt quickly to the emerging needs of society.
This transformation can be seen in actions such as Canada’s Digital Government Strategy, which aims to integrate data across all spheres of government to improve the delivery of public services and policymaking. The same is true in European Union countries, which have adopted governance models based on open data, allowing information collected by the public sector to be accessed and reused to develop innovative solutions. Digitalization has been a key factor in this transformation and in promoting this data economy.
One of the main benefits of the data economy in public policymaking is its ability to provide a solid empirical basis for decisions. By using real-time data, governments can identify evidence, trends and patterns, which should influence the development of more assertive policies that meet the real needs of the population.
Furthermore, a data economy can promote government transparency. When public policies are based on publicly accessible data, there is greater accountability and social control, which can strengthen trust in public institutions. In many countries, open data is already a reality, promoting citizen engagement and allowing civil society to actively participate in the evaluation and monitoring of adopted policies.
Despite the many benefits, implementing a data economy for public policy also faces significant challenges. One of the main problems is the lack of adequate infrastructure, especially in developing countries. Without an efficient technology network, collecting and processing large volumes of data can be unfeasible, which limits the ability of governments to adopt evidence-based public policies.
Furthermore, issues related to data privacy and security also need to be addressed. In a world where personal data is frequently collected, governments need to ensure that data is protected and that data usage policies respect citizens’ rights. Implementing Data Protection Regulations is one example of how governments can balance data usage with privacy protection.
Another significant challenge is related to the training of public administration professionals. For data to be used efficiently, it is essential that public managers have the technical skills necessary to interpret and use this data appropriately. A lack of training can result in underutilization of the data collected or in poorly formulated policies.
In Brazil, the construction of a data economy is still in its early stages. There are initiatives using open platforms for public data, which indicates a positive movement towards the adoption of evidence-based public policies. The Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services is discussing the National Policy for the Data Economy with different stakeholders.
Although there have been advances in terms of digitalization and data openness, such as the creation of government transparency platforms, the country still faces significant challenges in terms of infrastructure and inequality in access to technology. These limitations hinder the collection and efficient use of data in several areas, such as health, education and public safety. However, for the data economy to truly consolidate in the country, it will be necessary to invest in technological infrastructure, professional training and the creation of a legal framework that ensures the ethical and safe use of data.
The data economy represents a new frontier in evidence-based public policymaking. By enabling governments to efficiently collect and analyze data, the data economy offers the possibility of implementing more accurate, efficient, and transparent public policies. However, for this potential to be fully realized in Brazil, we still have to face challenges related to infrastructure, privacy, and professional training. Only with a solid foundation will it be possible to fully integrate the data economy into public governance, promoting policies that truly meet the needs of the population.
*Ana Claudia Donner Abreu – Researcher at Think Tank. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Administration from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC).
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
Article originally published on the Connected Smart Cities website https://portal.connectedsmartcities.com.br/2024/10/07/a-economia-de-dados-com-instrumento-para-formulacao-de-politicas-publicas-baseadas-em-evidencias/
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