HOW TO PROVIDE 
ACCESS TO DATA IN A DATA SPACE? 

What is the problem?

Data spaces aim to realise as much data value as possible by exploiting the complementarities of the different datasets located within them. Effective access to these datasets along with the smooth integration of actors and systems in digital environments is often a challenge due to heterogeneity of technologies, standards and architectures. 

Scenario
In order to build an application to monitor the exposure of citizens to air pollutants, an application developer could use data from air pollution sensors, traffic and road infrastructures – all of which are made available by different intermediate data providers. The envisioned app can only be implemented if simultaneous access is ensured to all these data sources. 

Proposed Solutions

Web-based Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) act as the “glue” to connect different actors and systems in digital environments. The use of APIs is the norm for connecting to modern digital infrastructures. An API interface self-describes the interactions that are possible through it. Specifically, it describes what data are accessible, how to access these data, and under what conditions. The use of widespread industry standards such as OpenAPI specifications notably eases the integration of API components in digital value chains. In the ideal case, the API specifications include the licensing information and code snippets that allow immediate interaction with the data by using different programming languages. 

Selected resources
  • Posada Sanchez, M., Pogorzelska, K. and Vespe, M., The role of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in data governance and digital coordination, European Commission, 2022, JRC128250. 
  • Vaccari, L., Posada Sanchez, M., Boyd, M., Gattwinkel, D., Mavridis, D., Smith, R., Santoro, M., Nativi, S., Medjaoui, M., Reusa, I., Switzer, S. and Friis-Christensen, A., Application Programming Interfaces in Governments: Why, what and how, EUR 30227 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, doi:10.2760/429805, JRC120429.  
  • Web Application Programming Interfaces (APIs): general-purpose standards, terms and European Commission initiatives 
  • Boyd, M., Vaccari, L., Posada Sanchez, M. and Gattwinkel, D., An Application Programming Interface (API) framework for digital government, EUR 30226 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, ISBN 978-92-76-18980-0, doi:10.2760/772503, JRC120715. 
  • Self-Assessment Tool to assess API maturity: ISA2 solution: API Framework SAT  
  • Posada Sanchez, M., Vaccari, L. and Pogorzelska, K., Unfolding opportunities from the use of APIs in Europe, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2021, ISBN 978-92-76-34203-8, doi:10.2760/074141, JRC124758. 

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Recommendations
  • Digital service providers across the full digital chain (e.g., app providers, digital service providers in the public sector)
    • ensure the robustness of the full digital chain, carefully considering API entry points 
    • ensure sustainability of digital interactions (technical and organisational coordination)
    • ensure app compliance with the legal framework  
  • Intermediate service providers (e.g., high-value dataset API service providers in the public sector)
    • invest in facilitating discoverability and uptake of the API service by properly documenting and specifying correct use
    • ensure compliance with technical and legal constraints from upstream components in the digital chain 
  • Intermediate service consumers (e.g., an organisation using external API components in their digital solutions)
    • ensure upstream compliance with technical and legal constraints 
    • ensure that the uses of the assets accessed are lawful 
  • Data providers 
    • exhaustively describe licenses and conditions for use of data assets  
  • Data space orchestrators:
    • stakeholder management and coordination (regarding conditions for APIs)
    • ensure stable legal and technical digital interactions (encoded in the code and agreements for APIs) 
Disclaimer: The views expressed are purely those of the authors and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission.

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