Open data in digital strategies against COVID-19: the case of Belgium

Abstract

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of digital in the fight against the pandemic (control at the border, automated tracing, creation of databases...). In this research, we analyze the Belgian response in terms of open data. First, we examine the open data publication strategy in Belgium (a federal state with a sometimes complex functioning, especially in health), second, we conduct a case study (anatomy of the pandemic in Belgium) in order to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the main COVID-19 open data repository. And third, we analyze the obstacles to open data publication. Finally, we discuss the Belgian COVID-19 open data strategy in terms of data availability, data relevance and knowledge management. In particular, we show how difficult it is to optimize the latter in order to make the best use of governmental, private and academic open data in a way that has a positive impact on public health policy.