MyData Global is an award-winning international non-profit that furthers the rights of individuals over their personal data.
What?
MyData is a human-centric approach to personal data management, which combines industry need for data with digital human rights. MyData is an alternative vision which offers guiding technical principles for how we, as individuals, can have more control over the data trails we leave behind in our everyday actions. The core idea is that we should have an easier way to see where our personal data goes, specify who can use it, and alter these decisions over time.
Why?
The fair use of personal data is one of the most critical issues for shaping a sustainable and prosperous digital society.
Personal data has significant social, economic, and practical value. It holds the key to improving a range of services and products provided by governments, companies, and organisations. But personal data-based services must be built on mutual trust.
Today, having personal data stored in your service is a liability. Having permission to use a piece of data is an asset. Companies who grasp this early enough, are in a better position in the newly emerging data economy. Whole industries – such as energy, health and wellbeing, and finance – are already being disrupted by this trend.
We are a global community of entrepreneurs and personal data experts, private individuals as well as public and private organisations.
The organisation
MyData Global is a registered non-profit association. We have a diverse team of international experts serving on the board of directors, the steering committee, and staff.
Local hubs and thematic groups
MyData Global is grounded at the local, regional, and national level through the local hubs. Thematic groups unite actors to develop and disseminate MyData thought leadership in specific domains, such as standards and governance, skillsdata, health, cities and other.
Members
MyData Global is made of both individual and organisation members. Learn more about the options to join as a member and receive member-specific benefits, such as discounts, visibility, dedicated support and more.
MyData is…
A concept
MyData is an umbrella term for a human-centric approach to personal data. The core idea is that individuals should be in control of the data about themselves. The MyData approach aims to strengthen digital human rights whilst opening new opportunities for businesses to develop innovative, personal data-based services built on mutual trust.
A centre of excellence
MyData is a global centre for personal information expertise: we bring together governments, companies, and individuals to find solutions that put the individual at the core of how their personal data is used. Our networks of companies, policy makers, data scientists, and community organisers provide their expertise and influence in driving the shift towards more ethical approaches to personal data. What we discover along the way is reflected back to the wider community to further build the case for a human-centric approach to personal data.
MyData is not…
One solution or product
There are many initiatives around the world, ranging from business to legal to technical, that fall within the MyData framework, whether or not they use the term “MyData”. MyData is technology-agnostic, as far as these help to meets the principles described in the MyData Declaration.
Geographically limited
Whilst there are certain countries with more active MyData movements than others, they are all inspired by initiatives from around the world. MyData local hubs are spread across six continents, and co-operate together to make MyData a reality.
Another data silo
Born out of the Open Knowledge movement, MyData is being developed as an open standards platform that will facilitate both for-profit and not-for-profit data-based services.