Company
Date Published
Author
Ben Balter
Word count
338
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

GitHub has become a platform not only for software development but also for collaborative policy-making, as demonstrated by the White House's use of GitHub to draft and release the official Open Data Policy of the United States. This innovative approach allows government data to be more open and accessible, marking the first time a government entity has published a law as a living, collaborative document. This initiative empowers government employees and citizens to contribute to the policy's evolution, fostering a community-driven approach to governance. Civic hackers and public servants utilize GitHub for various projects, enhancing transparency and collaboration in diverse areas. Ben Balter, who has played a significant role in promoting open source practices within government entities, underscores the transformative potential of such platforms in revolutionizing how policies are developed and improved.