Investigation

There are a number of advantages to the use of open data as part of anti-corruption investigations, whether carried out by journalists, or by auditors and law enforcement. Open datasets are available across national borders: meaning that citizens, journalists or officials in one country can draw upon data from another easily - and without having to go through various administrative processes to access information. This may assist investigators working in risky contexts, allowing investigations to proceed without political interference, or placing a spotlight on the investigator. It can also support easier investigation of cross-national corruption networks. For example, the coordinators of Sinar Project in Malaysia report using the UK Beneficial Ownership register to investigate the foreign company holdings of politically exposed persons from Malaysia (Source: Personal conversation, OGP Summit 2016).

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