Join fellow transparency advocates for the California Database Hunt, a virtual and IRL sprint to collect data catalogs from local governments across California.
What: California Database Hunt
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2016.
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. PT/ 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. ET
Where: San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Remotely
As of July 1, 2016, local government agencies such as cities and counties* are required to publish on their websites an inventory of all the "enterprise systems" they use to store primary records or information on the public. These catalogs not only name the databases, but the type of data they collect and store, the name of the software used, and the vendor. These new requirements open all kinds of new possibilities for open-data innovators and privacy watchdogs alike.
But first we need to index all these catalogs. That is, we gotta catch 'em all.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Sunlight Foundation, and the Data Foundation are teaming up for a four-hour session to sweep through California cities and counties, large and small, and other local agencies to collect these catalogs. Level Zero, which was an original proponent of S.B. 272, has been collecting catalogs and will be adding their findings to the work of the Database Hunt.
You can join us virtually or in person at EFF's offices in San Francisco or the Data Foundation's office in Washington, D.C.
In San Francisco:
Electronic Frontier Foundation
815 Eddy St
San Francisco, CA 94115
In Washington, D.C.:
Data Foundation
1003 K St NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Please register today and indicate whether you intend to participate in person (and where). If you're attending in-person in Washington, D.C. please also register with the Data Foundation so they can give you logistical instructions.
* School districts were exempted from the reporting requirements. The legislation also does not affect state agencies.