Why Government Data Sharing Stalls and How a “Three‑Rights” Model Can Unlock It

01 Factors to Consider Before Data Sharing

Government data sharing is hindered by four main factors:

Factor 1: Determining which data to share and the legal basis for it.

Factor 2: Deciding the sharing method—periodic copy, upload, real‑time interface, or result‑only feedback.

Factor 3: Defining usage permissions and boundaries for the shared data.

Factor 4: Addressing security risks, disputes, and responsibility concerns.

These issues stem from the government’s structural characteristics: duplicated responsibilities across levels and compartmentalized departments, leading to inefficient resource allocation and information silos.

For citizens, this results in fragmented platforms and multiple apps, causing poor user experience.

02 Department Data Sharing Models

Two primary models exist:

1. “One‑to‑One” Model

Data is shared through direct agreements between department leaders or via ad‑hoc coordination, often relying on personal relationships, which makes the process unstable and unsustainable.

2. “Centralized” Model

This model builds a shared exchange platform—physically or logically—through which any department can request and obtain data.

However, it faces four challenges:

Unclear sharing demand: Collected data often mismatches actual needs.

Data quality disparity: Varying standards, definitions, and maintenance practices across departments.

Weak departmental cooperation: Departments fear loss of control and potential disputes.

Data validity uncertainty: Additional transfer steps can compromise timeliness and accuracy.

03 Key Points for Achieving Data Sharing

Clarify ownership: Ensure sharing does not alter data ownership, alleviating provider concerns.

Build trust: Guarantee data validity for users and protect providers from misuse.

Ensure traceability: Make the sharing process auditable to resolve disputes and assign responsibility.

Maintain sustainability: Keep sharing conditions stable to reduce coordination costs.

04 Solving Data Sharing – The “Three‑Rights” Approach

Data sharing involves three parties: the data owner, the data user, and the management entity that controls the sharing platform. Assigning clear rights to each party creates a trustworthy mechanism.

Data Ownership Rights – The right to define, interpret, and manage data, including collection, maintenance, and quality assurance.

Data Usage Rights – The right to use data within defined limits, adhering to minimal‑necessary access principles.

Shared Management Rights – The authority to decide if and how data is shared, resolve disputes, and enforce compliance. This role can reside with the owning department or a third‑party agency.

05 Practice Case and Diagram

The “three‑rights” model has been applied in a regional digital government project, using blockchain to record only data catalog transactions (not the raw data), thereby improving efficiency and traceability.

This implementation demonstrates that data sharing can move beyond reliance on personal relationships, establishing a secure, accountable, and sustainable exchange framework.