Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about OpenData
1. What is OpenData?
OpenData is an open-source project developing and maintaining a global, interoperable graph of entities—including organizations, legal entities, locations, addresses, and people. The dataset is designed to act as a connectivity layer that makes it easier to join datasets and systems.
The Project is hosted by the Linux Foundation and governed through an open, community-driven model.
2. Why was OpenData created?
Traditional entity data has been locked behind proprietary platforms, forcing every organization to rebuild the same foundational datasets independently. This creates inefficiency, limits innovation, and concentrates power. We believe there's a better way.
OpenData exists to:
- Lower barriers to entry by eliminating the cost and complexity of building entity resolution infrastructure
- Accelerate innovation by providing a common substrate for analytics, AI, and commercial applications
- Ensure transparency through clear provenance, versioning, and community-driven quality improvement
- Enable collaboration so organizations can focus on solving unique problems instead of recreating foundational assets
- Promote interoperability by serving as the connective tissue between diverse data ecosystems
3. Where does the data come from?
OpenData is derived from government records, community contributions, and other public, verifiable sources. All included data emphasizes transparent provenance, documented sourcing, and community review. The Project does not rely on proprietary or closed datasets.
4. How is this different from other open datasets or knowledge graphs?
OpenData is intentionally focused on being:
- Identifier-centric, enabling reliable joins across datasets
- Collectively governed, independent of any single vendor
- Production-ready, not experimental
- A connector of datasets, not a replacement of them
5. Can I use OpenData data in commercial products?
Yes. All datasets and schemas are released under the Community Data License Agreement – Permissive (CDLA-Permissive). This license allows free use, modification, and redistribution for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, with no requirement to open-source downstream products.
6. How does OpenData handle privacy and responsible data use?
Privacy is a core design principle. The Project:
- Limits the granularity of personal data
- Complies with GDPR, CCPA, and similar regulations
- Supports documented correction and takedown processes
- Publishes people-related data only in legally and ethically appropriate forms
7. Who governs the OpenData Project?
The Project is governed by the OpenData Steering Committee and supported by its Working Groups, following Linux Foundation and Joint Development Foundation (JDF) practices. Governance is transparent, lightweight, and designed to balance long-term stewardship with open community participation.