Towards a user-centric personal data ecosystem The role of the bank of individuals' data

Abstract

Personal data is assumed to become the “energy” or the “new currency” for digital world. Currently personal data potentiality is not fully exploited due to “organization-centric” approaches in the management of personal data. This paper presents a “user-centric” model, which aims at unlocking such potentiality, by enabling individuals to control the gathering, management, use and sharing of data about them. In particular, the paper analyses a new personal data ecosystem centered around the role of “Bank of Individuals' Data” (BID), a provider of “personal data management services” enabling people to exploit their personal data. We call this role Bank as it manages data as commercial banks manage money. Finally, it discusses challenges and opportunities for Telcos to become a BID.