Obtaining and using Open Government Data
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Open Government Data (OGD) is freely accessible data from public administration. Businesses can use it for analyses, digital products, or new business models.
Table of contents
Key Points
- OGD is generally freely usable, provided the license terms are adhered to.
- OGD is published consistently by the government and is actively maintained and improved.
- Companies can use open data for market analysis, location decisions, digital products, and data-driven services.
What is Open Government Data?
Open government data comprises datasets collected by public authorities and made available to the public for free reuse. Once the new Information and Data Protection Act (IDG) takes effect in July 2027, all data that is not subject to protection will be published by the government as Open Government Data. Examples already published today include statistical data, geographic information, mobility data, and environmental measurements.
The data is available in machine-readable formats and can be downloaded directly or accessed via programming interfaces.
Requirements and Guidelines
When using Open Government Data (ODG), the following points must be observed:
Comply with license terms
All OGD is licensed under open licenses, such as Creative Commons (CC). These allow free use but may include certain conditions, such as attribution or a prohibition on commercial use. Check the license terms for each dataset separately.
Careful interpretation
Public administration data is generated in the course of administrative tasks and is not always suitable for every use. Careful interpretation is important to avoid erroneous conclusions. The data provider (source) shall not be held liable for the improper use of OGD.
Guidelines for Data Publication
Companies wishing to publish their own data openly should follow the OGD guidelines of the Canton of Zurich. These guidelines specify, among other things, the formats in which data must be provided and the metadata that must be included. For OGD users, the guidelines provide guidance on the standardized structure of open data
How to proceed
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Check which datasets are suitable for your project. The Canton of Zurich’s data catalog and the national portal opendata.swiss offer a searchable overview of available datasets. Use the filter functions to search by topic, provider, or format.
If you cannot find the data you need, contact the canton’s OGD specialist and coordination office so that they can work toward making it available.
Many datasets are available as direct downloads in formats such as CSV, JSON, or XML. Some data providers offer an API for automated and regularly updated use. You can find the relevant technical information in the documentation for each dataset.
Use the data for your analyses, products, or services. Please observe the license terms.
Note:
The information on this page is for guidance only and is not exhaustive. Details should be clarified with experts or the relevant authorities as early as possible.
Further information
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