DotGov, Inc. Develops Mobile Platform to Change Citizen Interaction with the Government

DotGov, Inc. is developing a mobile platform that will change how citizens interact with their local government. This application will provide citizens with tools to interact with their city and benefit from all the information and services that local governments offer.

 

The Open Data directive and Open Government policies have resulted in all levels of government implementing strategies to use Internet and social media tools to become more transparent, accessible and engaging with its citizens. Even though most of the effort is being put into Web portals, smart phones are expected to become the dominant platform to access the Web.

 

According to Michael Riedyk, president and CEO of DotGov, Inc., the innovative mobile app gives faster and easier access to all sorts of city and county services and will make use of the location-based GPS features most smart phones have nowadays. DotGov is collaborating closely with Arvada CO, Manor TX, Rockwall TX and Mecklenburg County NC during the development and innovation process. DotGov is planning to launch this innovative way to interact with government in May 2010.

 

DotGov, Inc. is a new Gov 2.0 start-up company. The goal of DotGov’s mobile app development project is to develop an iPhone (News - Alert) Application which will offer citizens mobile access to city & county services and information. This mobile app will become available for other cities and counties later this year.

 

The White House issued the Open Government Directive on Dec. 8, 2009. The Open Government Directive requires federal agencies to take immediate, specific steps to achieve key milestones in transparency, participation, and collaboration. The three principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration form the cornerstone of an open government. Even though the Open Government Directive establishes deadlines for action, agencies are encouraged to advance their open government initiatives well ahead of those deadlines.

 

The Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government issued on Jan. 21, 2009 requires executive departments and agencies to take a number of steps toward the goal of creating a more open government. These include publishing government information online, improving the quality of government information, creating and institutionalizing a culture of open government and creating an enabling policy framework for open government.