Interoperable Beneficial Ownership Data
Enhancing cross-border BO data usability. Led by Open Ownership, this group develops a framework for interoperable BO data to improve anti-corruption impact, including identifying technological and policy innovations and testing environments.
About
Over 70% of grand corruption cases in recent decades have involved anonymously owned companies, often structured transnationally to obscure the identities of those in control. Illicit financial flows (IFFs)—the proceeds of corruption and financial crimes—are frequently facilitated through these opaque ownership structures.
Beneficial Ownership Transparency (BOT) reveals who ultimately owns, controls, or benefits from legal entities and arrangements. Such data is essential for investigators, compliance professionals, and anti-corruption actors seeking to "follow the money" and dismantle criminal networks. It helps reduce corruption risks, safeguard national security, and promote transparency and good governance.
Today, over 90 countries have implemented some form of beneficial ownership (BO) register, with another 25 actively working towards establishing one. The world is therefore on the cusp of generating more BO data than ever before. However, the real challenge lies not just in collecting this information, but in standardizing and connecting it across borders so it becomes interoperable—that is, capable of being used and understood in diverse jurisdictions and platforms.
The Interoperable BO Data Working Group seeks to ensure that this growing global dataset is meaningfully structured and connected, unlocking its full potential to prevent and combat transnational corruption and other financial crimes.
Key Deliverables:
Background Research & Gap Analysis: A detailed review of existing frameworks, identifying gaps and challenges in current BO data regimes to inform where solutions are most needed.
High-Level Innovations Report: This report will explore and propose IT, policy, and data governance innovations—ranging from new tools to adapted existing technologies—that can maximize the utility of BO data in tackling corruption.
Testing Opportunities: Identification of pilot environments and partner countries where these innovations can be tested, scaled, and operationalized. The objective is not only to improve BO data access and usability but to increase its strategic value across borders, thus enhancing impact in investigations, asset recovery, and the disruption of criminal enterprises.
Lead Organisation: Open Ownership
Contact: Agustina De Luca – agustina@openownership.org