Why Data Portability is a non-solution to a non-problem
I have written a draft on Backpack
Note: As of Feb 6 2008 the draft is now a post on GigaOm
Please leave comments there - comments on this post here are now closed.
Note: As of Feb 6 2008 the draft is now a post on GigaOm
Please leave comments there - comments on this post here are now closed.
posted by Nitin at 10:48 PM
3 Comments:
Hi Nitin,
As one of the founding members of DP, I have to say you have not fully understood DP, and your interpreation of the issue is very much on the agenda. You are judging DP on its brand. "Portability" isn't just about moving it, but it also implies control.
What the DP Project is doing is that it is bring together existing efforts; it is putting on the agenda issues like the one you discuss; and it is then going to create mechanisms of making companies (and not just internet companies) respect the agenda we set.
So in effect, it is not CREATING anything new, but rather, bringing together previous efforts. You are someone that would be interested in our newly created policy group, which we have not tried to start up yet as we have been overwhelmed incubating the other action groups, but I would say those four items are exactly what DP can do: get smart people together, and work together to put it on the agenda.
DP is about changing the relationship and examining the rights users have with data and the companies that claim it is their competitive advantage. Whilst portability is one aspect of it, the actual security and privacy of that data is another - I would much rather have Flickr respect my rights, than me just having the right to move it elsewhere. The question is - what are those rights?
The way your current four points stand - I see some problems there for small companies who don't have the manpower to cater for such a request. But it's a great start - why not be a part of the discussion and join us in the policy group?
Hello Nitin,
Thank you for corresponding with me via email. Your article makes sense and I understand your points.
I'll take a step back and borrow from the philosophical work of Chris Saad. Life itself is becoming more portable. Careers are more portable. Food is more portable. Etc.
With respect to technology, this means both portable devices and portable data.
Thus, data is meant to be viewed abstractly. Data can be an identity, profile, digital photo, music, movie, etc.
As such, DataPortability is about making sure your bits come with you wherever you go.
A good thing is when you can have access to relevant data whenever and wherever you are.
A bad thing is when people are locked into using their data on only one site or on only one device.
I believe that rather than being all about "exit", DataPortability provides a reason to "stay". For example, if Yahoo becomes #1 at letting me access there data when and where I want, then I'll become more loyal to them.
But if they lock me in, I'll run to someone else who is more open.
Thanks again and cheers,
Mike
(A co-founder at DataPortability.org)
Hello Nitin,
Thank you for corresponding with me via email. Your article makes sense and I understand your points.
I'll take a step back and borrow from the philosophical work of Chris Saad. Life itself is becoming more portable. Careers are more portable. Food is more portable. Etc.
With respect to technology, this means both portable devices and portable data.
Thus, data is meant to be viewed abstractly. Data can be an identity, profile, digital photo, music, movie, etc.
As such, DataPortability is about making sure your bits come with you wherever you go.
A good thing is when you can have access to relevant data whenever and wherever you are.
A bad thing is when people are locked into using their data on only one site or on only one device.
I believe that rather than being all about "exit", DataPortability provides a reason to "stay". For example, if Yahoo becomes #1 at letting me access there data when and where I want, then I'll become more loyal to them.
But if they lock me in, I'll run to someone else who is more open.
Thanks again and cheers,
Mike
(A co-founder at DataPortability.org)
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