Internet and Transparency: When the Administration Moved to the Online World
Today it seems normal to visit the city council’s website to download a form, check a subsidy, or read a municipal record. But it wasn’t always like this. There was a moment, in the late 90s and early 2000s, when public administrations began experimenting with something revolutionary: sharing information through the Internet. And with that came new questions: what can be published? how do we ensure the quality of the information? and what about data protection?
From the Counter to the Click
For years, the relationship between citizens and the administration was face-to-face or, at best, by mail. With digitalization, everything changed. Suddenly, it became possible for anyone to consult regulations, files, or statistics from home. The so-called electronic administration was not just a technological invention: it was also a way of rethinking the relationship with citizens.
The underlying message was clear: more transparency. Publishing on the Internet meant giving direct access to public information, without lines or intermediaries.
But Not Everything Goes
Of course, the initial enthusiasm clashed with reality. Could documents with names and surnames be posted openly? How far did the right to transparency go without infringing on people’s privacy? This is where data protection comes into play: publishing information, yes, but with clear limits to avoid misuse.
There was also another challenge: quality and reliability. A public website cannot be a dumping ground for poorly scanned PDFs. If the information is not clear, accessible, or up to date, transparency becomes an illusion.
Europe as a Reference
The debate was not just local. In Europe, there was already discussion about the importance of reusing public sector information, meaning that published data could be used for research, innovation, or citizen services. But always under the idea that access had to be fair, safe, and balanced.
Catalonia aligned itself with these trends: promoting transparency, while setting limits through data protection.
Shared Responsibility
The text also emphasizes that the administration cannot see the Internet merely as a showcase. Sharing information online involves responsibility:
Ensuring that what is published is accurate and up to date.
Avoiding the dissemination of personal data without a legal basis.
Guaranteeing universal access, considering citizens with different levels of digital competence.
The dissemination of information on the Internet was one of the major changes in the relationship between the administration and the public. We went from requesting documents at a counter to downloading them in seconds. But with that convenience came new challenges: transparency, yes, but without forgetting people’s privacy; accessibility, yes, but with clear and reliable information.
What began as something new is now part of everyday life. And although there is still work to be done, the lesson is clear: posting information online is not enough; it must be done responsibly and with respect for the people behind that data.