The article explores the benefits, adoption barriers, and myths surrounding open data and open government. It highlights that while many public organizations have embraced the idea of open data, there are significant challenges in its adoption. The research, based on interviews and a workshop, identifies a gap between the promised benefits of open data and the actual barriers faced. It also outlines five myths that are often used to justify or reject the use of open data, which do not have a factual basis. Open data is defined as non-privacy-restricted and non-confidential data produced with public money and made available without restrictions. It is seen as essential for public policy development and service delivery, but also valuable for other sectors like traffic information. The research emphasizes the need for a user-centered approach and active governance to ensure that open data is used effectively. System theory and institutional theory are used to analyze the impact of open data on governance. System theory suggests that open data can lead to more feedback and learning from the public, while institutional theory warns that open data may reinforce existing structures rather than change them. The research finds that open data can create new opportunities for innovation, economic growth, and increased transparency, but it also presents challenges such as data complexity, information quality, and technical barriers. The article identifies several barriers to the adoption of open data, including institutional resistance, task complexity, legislation, and technical issues. It also highlights the importance of ensuring data quality and the need for a supportive infrastructure to make data accessible and usable. The research concludes that while open data has the potential to transform governance, it is essential to address the barriers and myths that hinder its effective implementation. The findings suggest that a comprehensive and user-focused approach is necessary to realize the full potential of open data.The article explores the benefits, adoption barriers, and myths surrounding open data and open government. It highlights that while many public organizations have embraced the idea of open data, there are significant challenges in its adoption. The research, based on interviews and a workshop, identifies a gap between the promised benefits of open data and the actual barriers faced. It also outlines five myths that are often used to justify or reject the use of open data, which do not have a factual basis. Open data is defined as non-privacy-restricted and non-confidential data produced with public money and made available without restrictions. It is seen as essential for public policy development and service delivery, but also valuable for other sectors like traffic information. The research emphasizes the need for a user-centered approach and active governance to ensure that open data is used effectively. System theory and institutional theory are used to analyze the impact of open data on governance. System theory suggests that open data can lead to more feedback and learning from the public, while institutional theory warns that open data may reinforce existing structures rather than change them. The research finds that open data can create new opportunities for innovation, economic growth, and increased transparency, but it also presents challenges such as data complexity, information quality, and technical barriers. The article identifies several barriers to the adoption of open data, including institutional resistance, task complexity, legislation, and technical issues. It also highlights the importance of ensuring data quality and the need for a supportive infrastructure to make data accessible and usable. The research concludes that while open data has the potential to transform governance, it is essential to address the barriers and myths that hinder its effective implementation. The findings suggest that a comprehensive and user-focused approach is necessary to realize the full potential of open data.