MyData is a simple idea. Individuals are entitled to have the right and tools to manage data about themselves, get value based on that data, and set the agenda how their information is used. The personal data experts and leading organisations forming the MyData community have over the years shown, that using, managing and sharing personal data can be done ethically, as well as financially sustainably. Afterall, MyData is here to “make it happen, make it right”.
Too often, personal data makes headlines for the wrong reasons. We read about privacy scandals and misuse of data that threatens democracy and digital rights. Increasingly, the public wants personal data companies to be ethical, open and transparent about their operations. Furthermore, users want to be in control of their data and choose how to share their data for personal and public benefit without jeopardising their data rights.
We know that not all companies or organisations ignore privacy and digital rights. More and more companies and organisations are realising the benefits of giving people control over their personal data, whilst a small group of mega companies are hitting the headlines for the opposite reason. MyData Global redresses this balance and public perception by helping private and public organisations to demonstrate their leadership on two levels: firstly, providing human-centric digital services that improve a persons or community’s wellbeing, and secondly, offering solutions to manage and share personal data securely and with individual control.
The MyData Awards 2023
For the public, personal data management seems often remote, technical and at times incomprehensible. They are not alone. As more organisations begin to ingest, use, store and share personal data, concerns about data protection have increased. Yet, MyData Global recognises and promotes the best of both worlds – ensuring privacy and data protection, while also empowering individuals with their data. What do we mean by empowering? It means helping individuals access, manage and analyse their personal data so they can make informed decisions and get value from the data collected about them.
The MyData Awards 2023 is created to recognise and celebrate human-centric services around the world that put the individual at the centre of digital solutions. Applying companies can either receive the MyData in Practice 2023 status if they provide personal data based services to individuals in line with MyData principles, or the MyData Operators 2023 status it they provide a human-centric infrastructure for using and sharing personal data. Furthermore, by participating in the award process, companies start or continue their journey towards interoperability as they search for common practices, standards, and technologies.
MyData Global has run the award process since 2020, and so far, a total of 41 service providers have received the MyData Operator Award. Awarded organisations were required to demonstrate how they create agency for human-centric data control, and how the data and value flows in their ecosystems. To be considered for the award, these organisations must show how their services have the potential to interoperate with data sources, data using services, and each other.
“Receiving the MyData Operator awards three years in a row, has helped persuade our potential customers that Personium is empowering personal data sharing ethically. It also introduces chances for Personium to provide great social impact, especially in the global south”, says a previous awardee, Personium’s Chief Evangelist and Fujitsu SDG 9 Community Enabler, Dixon Siu.
The 2023 award process will open on 30 January and new awardees will be announced on 23 March 2023 at the Data Spaces Symposium, in The Hague, Netherlands.
Next, find out more!
Learn more about the award process and the available categories by participating at the webinar on 31 January at 1pm UTC+0. Register to the webinar here.