The GAO study highlights data reporting issues related to IT systems controls and systems configuration.

The department's Office of Inspector General has identified a lack of data quality review processes.

USASpending.gov should do a better job disclosing known limitations to data in a transparent way to users, GAO found.

Transparency advocates say it's one step in the right direction but there's more to be added.

But agencies and SSPs are taking steps to alleviate any issues.

A clear process will be key to the continued success of the cross-agency initiative.

The shutdown's impacts on open data continue to grow.

Data standardization, sharing and use has improved in the past year and will continue on this upward trajectory, expert interviewees say.

A new report measures the site against five "key practices" for true transparency in government data.

It also explores the relationship between amount of spending and the type of appropriations legislation passed.