Personal Data: Thinking Inside the Box (1501.04737v1)

Abstract: We propose there is a need for a technical platform enabling people to engage with the collection, management and consumption of personal data; and that this platform should itself be personal, under the direct control of the individual whose data it holds. In what follows, we refer to this platform as the Databox, a personal, networked service that collates personal data and can be used to make those data available. While your Databox is likely to be a virtual platform, in that it will involve multiple devices and services, at least one instance of it will exist in physical form such as on a physical form-factor computing device with associated storage and networking, such as a home hub.

Overview of "Personal Data: Thinking Inside the Box"

The paper "Personal Data: Thinking Inside the Box" addresses the ongoing challenges associated with personal data management in the face of widespread digitalization. The authors highlight the inadequacies of current regulatory approaches to safeguarding individual privacy amidst the commercialization of personal information, emphasizing the need for a more individual-centric solution. They propose the concept of the Databox, a decentralized platform managed by users, which would allow for controlled access to their personal data.

Motivation and Conceptualization

The influx of personal data is driven largely by advertising and online services that depend on data aggregation for revenue. Present systems often position users as passive subjects in data exchange, where their data can be indiscriminately harvested and commodified. The Databox is put forward as a potential solution, allowing users to regain control and manage access to their personal information, thereby addressing privacy concerns.

Key motivations for a Databox include:

• Facilitating decentralization and innovation by offering a platform for third-party developers without the constraints of centralized data silos.
• Enhancing user agency and ownership over personal data within the digital ecosystem.
• Providing avenues to leverage personal data economically, either through sale or controlled distribution, allowing for user-driven monetization strategies.

Core Features of the Databox

The Databox concept revolves around several core capabilities:

• Trusted Platform: The Databox must ensure users' trust by securely managing data while preventing breaches through comprehensive logging and auditing capabilities. Trust also extends to the Platform's software, requiring rigorous sandboxing and open-source frameworks to mitigate risks.
• Controlled Access: Users should be able to precisely dictate data access permissions and revoke previously granted privileges. The integration of privacy-preserving data analytics mechanisms, such as differential privacy and homomorphic encryption, is crucial.
• Data Management: Users must be able to interact with, edit, or delete their data, as well as opt for automated data forgetfulness features to uphold data relevancy and accuracy. The Right to be Forgotten aligns with these functionalities thereby requiring third-party compliance.
• Incentive Structures: The Databox proposes a paradigm shift where users can choose how to pay for services, either through data access or traditional monetary transactions. Furthermore, it offers organizations a reduced exposure model whereby data subjects retain control of sensitive personal data.

Challenges and Future Directions

The complexities inherent to data management and sharing pose significant technical and social challenges. The Databox needs universal adoption among users to succeed, requiring resolution of several key obstacles:

• Availability: Ensuring consistent, reliable access to the Databox regardless of user location or device constraints.
• Trust: Establishing a foundation for user trust in the system and its operation, potentially through shared experiences and social proof.
• Complexity & Usability: Balancing the intricate personal data preferences along with intuitive user interfaces to maintain user engagement and control.
• Cost: Reconciling the costs associated with operating a Databox with acceptable price models for users and third-party services, integrating feasible economic incentives.

The authors argue for the necessity of trial deployments and cooperative studies with various stakeholders, including privacy advocacy groups and government bodies, to navigate this emerging landscape. Business models in the space must comprehensively address the inherently social nature of personal data and its linkage with external data sources.

Conclusions

As digital ecosystems continue to evolve, the Databox represents a promising avenue for reforming the personal data landscape. It heralds a shift toward privacy by design, enabling users to engage with their data through nuanced interactions that balance individual needs with collective digital dynamics. For widespread efficacy, further exploration and practical applications are essential to validate the Databox model and foster a balance between privacy, personal agency, and economic efficiency.