On Using Information Retrieval for the Selection and Sensitivity Review of Digital Public Records

Open government facilitate citizens access to government records, through Freedom of Information laws, and through government archives after a period of years (e.g. 20) has elapsed. However, there are growing challenges in established archival processes that have been brought about by the introduction of digital records and the consequent breakdown of the pre-existing administrative practices within government institutions. In this paper, we discuss challenges that arise from two stages in the archiving digital government records, which information retrieval research can address: the selection/appraisal of appropriate records to archive, and the review of those records to ensure that no sensitive information is released. We also suggest tentative solutions for sensitivity review based on our own work.