"This report shows how governments in developing countries can enhance their use of data to provide better services to citizens. It also shows how the business sector is starting to capitalize on data for competitive advantage. For citizens, the report argues that new tools can allow them to take more control of personal data and benefit more directly from its value. For the World Bank Group and its development partners, the report contains plentiful examples of how big data and open data can be harnessed for better development outcomes. But challenges loom. The growth of data platforms is changing the profile of competitive markets and business models, away from subscriber-funded networks to advertising-funded services. This has important implications for how infrastructure is financed. In this evolving context, we must ensure that data is used for inclusion, not exclusion, and for enhanced privacy, not greater threats to security. The final chapter of the report looks at data policies for the digital economy and how conflicting demands can be reconciled. At a time when governments around the world are reviewing existing data policies, and writing new ones, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, this report seeks to contribute to the debate." (Foreword)