Don Gemberling

Keeping Public Data Public and Government Transparent

Minnesota’s public data champion Don Gemberling discusses how the loss of government transparency threatens faith in democracy and how citizens can fight back.

An interview in the series: “Restoring Trust in Our Minnesota Institutions”

July 30, 2025

Featuring: Don Gemberling, who spent more than 30 years at the Minnesota Department of Administration, where he helped write, interpret, and enforce the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

Panelists: Paul Ostrow (moderator), Janis Clay, Luka Jacobi-Krohn

Summary

Don Gemberling believes that trust in government starts with transparency — and that protecting both public access and individual privacy are essential pillars of democracy. Drawing on decades of experience as Minnesota’s leading authority on data practices, Gemberling highlights the importance of clear laws, strong civic institutions, and continued public vigilance. From his early work shaping the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act to his ongoing advocacy in retirement, Gemberling has consistently argued that an informed public is a powerful public.

Gemberling emphasizes the need for a historical understanding of why data privacy and open access laws came to be — and what’s at risk if they are weakened. He shares stories from the 1970s, when a coalition of civil libertarians, tech experts, and legislators, inspired by Sweden’s pioneering data law, laid the groundwork for one of the strongest transparency frameworks in the country. His message: these laws didn’t just happen — they were the result of hard work, compromise, and a shared commitment to civic integrity.

Gemberling champions clarity, public oversight, and legal literacy as core tools for protecting transparency. He warns against the erosion of these principles by both government overreach and public indifference. He also cautions that even well-intentioned reforms can backfire if they ignore the careful balance between access and privacy — a balance, he says, that took years to negotiate and should not be undone lightly.

Background

Don Gemberling spent more than 30 years at the Minnesota Department of Administration, where he helped write, interpret, and enforce the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act — a landmark law in public transparency and information privacy. As director of the Information Policy Analysis Division, he became a nationally respected voice on open government. Since retiring, he has continued to teach, advise, and speak out on privacy rights and freedom of information, serving on boards like Minnesotans for Open Government and the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information.

Discussion

What shaped Gemberling’s leadership on government transparency?
A mix of technical expertise and civil liberties advocacy deeply influenced Gemberling’s work. He credits early mentors like Dan McGraw and legislators like John Lindstrom and Bob Tennessen for pushing bold ideas — including Sweden’s data privacy law and federal Fair Information Practice Principles — into Minnesota policy. He saw firsthand how collaboration among state and local leaders, including skeptics like law enforcement and the press, helped forge lasting legislation.

Why do data laws matter today?
Gemberling argues that laws like the Data Practices Act protect not only personal privacy, but also public accountability. He stresses that these rules work onlyif people understand and use them. When governments start citing “privacy” as a reason not to release data — or when the public forgets that they have a right to know — democratic accountability suffers. “The law is only as strong as the public’s willingness to demand it be followed.”

What’s worked — and what hasn’t?
Gemberling believes the original structure of Minnesota’s data law still works. What’s failed is political will. Over time, policymakers have neglected the law’s core purpose, sometimes even using it as a shield to avoid scrutiny. He laments that people in government often lack training or interest in transparency, and that reforms tend to focus more on headlines than substance.

Are the old lessons still relevant?
“The basic values haven’t changed — just the technology.” Access and accountability remain as vital as ever, especially in a digital age where data is both more powerful and more vulnerable. He urges leaders and citizens to engage with these laws, understand them, and push for their fair application.

Final Thoughts

Don Gemberling’s call to action is clear: Don’t take open government for granted. It’s not self-sustaining. It requires informed citizens, vigilant institutions like the media, and a steady commitment to fairness and accountability. “Laws don’t enforce themselves; people do.”