London’s very first data charter launched: CityAM

One of London’s leading business associations today launched the Capital’s first data charter to help businesses address some of the city’s biggest challenges.

The charter was drawn up by the law firm Pinsent Masons for London First and provides a framework for collaboration and data sharing for private and public companies across the city.

It consists of seven principles and ensures that companies “get the most out of one of the capital’s most valuable and underutilized assets,” the trade organization said.

Starting at the beginning of London Tech Week, companies such as BP, Uber, Microsoft, Bloomberg and BT have already registered for the new framework.

Although more data is being produced in London every day than it was before this millennium, it is often fragmented and inaccessible.

However, London First hopes the Charter will make this a thing of the past.

“It’s a huge milestone,” said David Lutton, executive director of connectivity City AM. “It is the first time that London’s major corporations have jointly agreed to share anonymized and secure data for the benefit of the capital.

“The pandemic has shown the critical role data can play in coordinating responses at the city level – the potential for data-driven projects to have a positive impact on our lives is limitless.”

One such example of such a data exchange is a new project between Uber and UK Power Networks to understand where EV charging point placement makes the biggest difference for the ride-hailing app drivers.

Before the Open: Get the jump on the markets with our early morning newsletter