Grassroots Movement Fights to Preserve US Government Datasets Amid Deletions
‘Things were going dark left and right’: the race to save US government datasets before they’re deleted
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Amid concerns over data deletions by the Trump administration, a grassroots group known as the Data Rescue Project is working tirelessly to archive critical US government datasets. Comprised of over 800 volunteers, the initiative aims to ensure public access to vital information on topics like climate change and health, preserving it for future generations.
- 01The Data Rescue Project has over 800 volunteers dedicated to archiving US government datasets.
- 02The group has saved more than 3,000 items from various government departments.
- 03Volunteers aim to make archived data accessible through a public repository hosted by the University of Michigan.
- 04The initiative highlights the importance of public data as a public good.
- 05The project has inspired a broader movement advocating for the preservation of public data.
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The Data Rescue Project, a grassroots initiative formed during the Trump administration, aims to preserve essential US government datasets that are at risk of deletion. Volunteers, including librarians and programmers, dedicate up to 40 hours a week to archive critical information on climate change, public health, and social issues. As of late April, they have successfully archived over 3,000 items from various federal agencies, which have been downloaded more than 18,900 times from their public repository, DataLumos, hosted by the University of Michigan. The project emphasizes that public data should be treated as a public good, similar to infrastructure like roads and bridges. Volunteers not only save datasets but also create metadata to ensure the information is discoverable and usable. The initiative has sparked a larger movement advocating for public data preservation, with over 20 groups now involved in similar efforts. This collective action reflects a growing recognition of the importance of accessible government data in shaping informed policy and public awareness.
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The preservation of government datasets ensures that vital information remains accessible to the public, influencing policy and public awareness on critical issues.
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