MyData – an introduction to human-centric use of personal data

Summary

Recognized already in the early 2010s, personal data in the 2020s and beyond is fast becoming a defining force for the way the world works.1 People, businesses, technologists, legislators, and societies at large are in various stages of recognizing and reacting to this reality and its future potential. Our personal digital footprints are growing rapidly. It is difficult for us to grasp what data is collected about us, what data different organizations have, and we often do not understand the ways in which this data is utilized. This raises concerns that are further reinforced by revelations about massive state data collection systems and reports of privacy-compromising legislative reforms and data breaches. Surveys clearly show a trend that people increasingly trust organizations less to use their personal data properly.