Their Lives. Their Stories. Their Data
In today’s digital age, data has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, the concept of Data Ownership is still a new idea for many. This is where Carolina comes in—a proto-persona created to represent the ideal way people can form relationships with their data. She is young, full of energy, and eager to take control of her life and her data. Our research team conducted interviews with people in California and across the country to understand their relationships to data.
Becoming Data-Ready and Data-Strong
Carolina represents a generation that is waking up to the importance of data ownership. She embodies five key characteristics that are crucial for anyone looking to take control of their data:
Curiosity: Carolina is interested in understanding the plethora of data she generates daily.
Value Awareness: She recognizes that her data holds value.
Knowledge of Commercialization: She is aware that companies profit from her data.
Interest in Valuation: She is intrigued to find out just how much her data is worth.
Preparation for the Data Economy: She wants to be ready to participate in and benefit from the data economy.
Bridging the Gap: From Apathy to Empowerment
Our mission is clear: to nurture curiosity about data, raise awareness of its value, and prepare individuals to step into the data economy confidently. In our journey to understand how to facilitate this transformation, we spoke to future data owners from various backgrounds.
Our conversations revealed a spectrum of attitudes towards data sharing. Some were open to sharing their data, placing their trust in companies, while others were more protective, seeking to conceal their data. The common thread was a feeling of disillusionment—being stuck between the rock of inadequate privacy and the hard place of opaque data usage practices.
A New Perspective: Data Ownership
Introducing the concept of data ownership changed the game. Suddenly, people had a third option beyond the binary choice of being tracked or not. This option represented control, transparency, and empowerment. The idea of retrieving their data, cleaning their email inboxes from spam, and putting an end to robocalls was tantalizing.
Some even saw this as the dawn of a new era, a movement that could shift the power balance and return data rights to the individual. This newfound perspective is a crucial first step towards meaningful change.
Their Voices, Their Stories
Now, it’s time to turn the microphone over to the people. Let’s listen to their stories, understand their perspectives on data, and explore how we can collectively redefine the system.
Conclusion
Carolina’s story is not unique. It represents the potential within all of us to become data owners, to understand the value of our data, and to take control of our digital lives. The journey to Data Ownership is just beginning, and it’s time for each of us to play our part. Let’s embrace curiosity, seek knowledge, and prepare ourselves for the data-driven future that awaits.
