Library and Information Science Commons^™

The Deceptive Practice Of Openwashing With Open Access Data, James Thibeault

Library Publications

You’ve probably heard the term greenwashing before. A company might say that their new “green” items are recyclable when the truth is more complicated. It’s tricky wordplay—being dishonest with the public but phrasing it so that it is technically true. Those who advocate for green policies are frustrated by these deceptive greenwashing practices. The same applies for advocates who want companies and governments to be more transparent about the data they collect. Openwashing is similar to greenwashing, in which groups like organizations and governments claim they are disclosing information, but in reality, it’s not entirely the case. What does it …