Smart Disclosure: Using Open Government Data to

Empower ConsumersJoel Gurin

Executive Director, The OrgPedia Project, NYLSjoel.gurin@gmail.com

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“Timely release of complex information and data in standardized, machine readable formats in ways that enable consumers to make informed decisions.”OIRA Smart Disclosure guidance memo, September 2011

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What is Smart Disclosure?

• Consumers are better off the easier it is for them to become informed (save money, get more value from finding things that match their preferences)

• Markets more competitive and efficient• Many consumer choices and behaviors

have implications for vital national issues (e.g., health, nutrition, environment, energy, personal finance)

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Why Do We Care About Consumer Choice?

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How Information on Products and Services Helps Consumers and the Market

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• Health care and health insurance• Mutual funds• Retirement plans• Telecom services• Energy usage (smart grid)• Transportation• Education

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Examples of Relevant Markets Where Government Plays a Role

Smart Disclosure Data Will Come From Government and From Private Sector

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Government

Private company

Product or service

A person’s own data

Department of Transportation on- time flight data

Flight price and attribute data delivered to online travel agents

“Blue Button” initiative (government)

“Green Button” (private companies)

•Enhance consumer choice by helping consumers to compare complex services. •Lower the burden of industry reporting information through shared standards and protocols.•Increase competition and innovation by helping consumers compare services re: quality and cost.•Harmonize databases between agencies that cover the similar markets for more efficient analysis.•Allow the best businesses to showcase themselves.•Enable press, policymakers, researchers, nonprofit groups, and others to analyze trends and data.

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Goals of Smart Disclosure

Data must be:•As accessible as possible (e.g., over the Internet to the public, no restrictions)•As usable as possible (e.g., machine readable formats with standardized vocabularies)•As complete as possible (e.g., all the fees, not just some, must be included; need all the attributes of the product, not just some)

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Three Principles of Smart Disclosure Design

Completeness: Smart disclosure is about the full range of info consumers need

Traditional approach…• Pricing and quality of goods

and services

…Smart disclosure approach• Pricing and quality of goods

and services• Background on providers (e.g.,

regulatory data, social responsibility)

• Complaints• Customer’s own data held by a

company (e.g., transaction history)

• Data held on individuals by agencies (e.g., Blue Button)

• Etc.

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• Comparison shopping sites help you find the best price for a product or service

• Now, “choice engines” help you tailor complex choices to your needs

• These applications help consumers manage many parts of their lives that involve important decisions

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A New Market for Consumer Tools for Complex Choices Has Emerged

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Classic Presentation: Consumer Reports

Kayak.com is a free tool to find best rates for air travel, hotels and more, with many complex

filters

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From Ratings Tables to Personal Choice

Goodguide.com rates products based on detailed data on health and environmental impact and social responsibility. Goodguide uses data from EPA and others.

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The Obama Administration Is Promoting Smart Disclosure

• The White House made a commitment to smart disclosure in its National Action Plan on Open Government.• Office of Management & Budget issued Executive Memorandum, “Informing Consumers Through Smart Disclosure” (September 2011)• Task Force on Smart Disclosure chartered by the Administration.

Multi-stakeholder Engagement: “Demand-Driven Data Disclosure”

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Data Holders (Government)

Subject-Matter Experts Application Developers

Industry/Regulated Entities Consumers/Consumer Groups

Smart Disclosure: Using Open Government Data to

Empower ConsumersJoel Gurin

Executive Director, The OrgPedia Project, NYLSjoel.gurin@gmail.com

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