Security experts warn that as Obama makes government data more accessible, it is imperative to improve data classification and information management so that sensitive but unclassified documents will not get into the wrong hands. -DB Computerworld Analysis June 8, 2009 By Jaikumar Vijayan The Obama Administration’s push to make government data more open and easily accessible is elevating the need for standardized data classification and information management approaches across federal agencies, security experts say. Without

When the federal government adds more federal stats to its online data base, it will come with clickable tags that will allow citizens to search related content. -DB NextGov June 4 2009 By Aliya Sternstein A comprehensive online warehouse of downloadable federal statistics is expected soon to add clickable tags that allow users to search and catalog related content, the White House chief information officer said on Thursday. “We want to be able to get

A federal judge struck a compromise to allow a Virginia woman to post the Social Security numbers of public officials but not those of private citizens, all of which can be easily obtained through legal means. In posting the numbers of public officials, the woman is trying to get them to pass laws to protect privacy and curtail identity theft. -DB Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press June 4, 2009 By Kathleen Cullinan A

Claims to the contrary, Governor Scharzenengger’s administration has performed poorly in providing records to the public, but he announced recently that some important information about contracts and audits be posted on the Internet, welcome steps towards improved transparency. -DB CalAware Commentary June 04, 2009 OPEN GOVERNMENT—Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today ordered the Internet posting of all state contracts valued at $5,000, as well as internal and external audits of state departments and agencies, including information on

Those challenging a $2 per page fee for public records say that, under state public record laws, public agencies may only charge for actual costs – a maximum of ten cents per page -DB Monterey County Herald June 2, 2009 By Virginia Hennessey If you’ve been paying $2 per page for records at the Monterey County Clerk’s Office, you’re due a refund, according to Southern California attorneys who are suing the county for allegedly violating