An important change is beginning to sweep the world of personal data. For many years, people have debated the question ‘what if individuals — e.g. citizens, customers — were able to assert genuine control over their own data?’ Now the debate is moving on to how to make this happen, at scale.

In our new book (September 2021), we look at the growing trend of personal data stores or personal data intermediaries, helping individuals take control over and empower themselves with their data. If we want to create a fair and equal society, we call it a data democracy, neither state nor big companies should control our data – and thus our lives. This does not mean that the state or companies do not sit on some of our data. But you are in the driver’s seat and retain control of your full profile.

Tim Berners-Lee wants to put people in control of their personal data. He has technology and a start-up pursuing that goal. Can he succeed?

Legal, Economic, and Political Reasons For Individuals to Have Ownership Rights over Their Personal Data Triggered responses from different views ('baisc human rights' or 'property rights') in Slack.

An exploration of individuals using their own data – with a focus on quantified self, open humans, and various examples self-research where individuals collect and use their personal data in new ways.

Specification to establish a foundational layer for secure data storage (including personal data), specifically data models for storage and transport, syntax, data at rest protection, CRUD API, access control, synchronization, and at least a minimum viable HTTP-based interface compatible with W3C DIDs/VCs.

I'd like to publicly announce a new initiative that was initially started at the MyData 2019 conference: Common Endpoints for Personal data Stores (CEPS). Together with @salmanff and @Dixon we created a document for Personal Data Store (PDS) providers and App developers that will allow interoperability between PDS and using Apps across different PDS.

Some interesting drawings about the different dimensions and approaches of PIMS (Personal Information Management System).

The next big technological shift is to a world where every individual can manage and (optionally) monetise their personal data. Companies like Facebook and Google already make billions because they know everything about us via our online habits. What if we could take a cut? What if we could own and sell our data directly?