A Generator-Centric Data Trust
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 4:17 am
While some, such as the Open Data Institute (ODI), have characterised this model of data trust as a data union, I have argued that – from a practical, as well as political economy perspective – this model is a data trust, merely a variation on an alternative model which I will discuss shortly.
But, why data-centric? It’s quite easy to russia rcs data forget that behind datasets are people, and so some clarity here is important.
It seems reasonable, as least theoretically, to conceive of a data trust that governs access to data, and a data trust that governs access to those from whom data is collected. The latter is another model we could consider: the generator (user) centric data trust.
Figure A Generator-Centric Data Trust
In this model, the trust itself negotiates the terms on which individual users within the trust interact with the data collector (platform).
Thus, we have still not entirely abandoned the transactional theory of data, but the imbalance of power between user and platform has been reduced because users operate with a degree of solidarity with fellow users. In this sense, the generator-centric data trust emerges more as a sociological idea than a political economy or even technical one.
But, why data-centric? It’s quite easy to russia rcs data forget that behind datasets are people, and so some clarity here is important.
It seems reasonable, as least theoretically, to conceive of a data trust that governs access to data, and a data trust that governs access to those from whom data is collected. The latter is another model we could consider: the generator (user) centric data trust.
Figure A Generator-Centric Data Trust
In this model, the trust itself negotiates the terms on which individual users within the trust interact with the data collector (platform).
Thus, we have still not entirely abandoned the transactional theory of data, but the imbalance of power between user and platform has been reduced because users operate with a degree of solidarity with fellow users. In this sense, the generator-centric data trust emerges more as a sociological idea than a political economy or even technical one.