OPEN DATA AS A TOOL OF PUBLIC CONTROL IN THE SYSTEM OF MODERN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Open data is an important factor in the development of democratic institutions, as it ensures transparency of government activities, enhances accountability, and creates conditions for genuine public oversight. In Ukraine, this issue has gained particular importance in the context of digital transformation of public administration, the development of civil society, and integration into the European framework of open governance. Despite regulatory measures, including the adoption of the Law “On Access to Public Information” and government resolutions on open data sets, there remain challenges with the quality, completeness, timeliness, and usability of published information. This reduces its effectiveness as a tool for monitoring, analysis, and control, while also creating risks of manipulation or distortion of socially important data. The issue of open data development and use has been examined by both Ukrainian and foreign scholars. Among Ukrainian researchers, significant contributions were made by Bula R., Horbata L.P., Kobyletskyi M., Dzhoh R., Oleksiuk L., Pozniakovska N., Miklukha O., Synyutka N., Kurylo O., Bondarchuk M., Stavytskyi A., Kharlamova G., Starkova G.V., Yaresko K.V. International experience is represented in the works of Balan A., Danylo B., Barati M., Izarova I., Khotynska-Nor O., Prytyka Y., Lourenço R.P., Piotrowski S., Ingrams A., Nate S., where attention is focused on budget transparency, e-procurement systems, data protection, and the role of civil society in democratizing governance. The purpose of the article is to determine the role of open data as an effective tool of public control, to analyze the legal and practical aspects of their application, to identify the main problems and challenges in this field, and to outline the prospects for developing transparency and accountability mechanisms in public policy. The article considers the formation of the legislative and regulatory framework for open data in Ukraine, including the adoption of key documents and government regulations. It analyzes the functioning of major state portals and platforms such as data.gov.ua, E-Data, Spending.gov.ua, and ProZorro, which ensure the openness of budgets, procurement, court decisions, and property registers. Special attention is given to the role of civil society and investigative journalism, which, through the use of open data, contribute to exposing corruption schemes, improving government transparency, and setting new accountability standards. Limitations and risks related to data quality, digital literacy, and information security threats are also highlighted. Оpen data is an effective tool of democratic governance, as it increases transparency, promotes effective public oversight, and builds trust in state institutions. At the same time, there is a need to improve publication mechanisms, raise quality standards, and protect against manipulations. The further development of open data should balance the goals of transparency and security, taking into account international experience and the needs of Ukrainian society.

Keywords: open data, public policy, transparency, accountability, public control, digital governance, information security.