About the project

Project Name: Open Provenance Knowledge Graph (OpenPKG)

OpenPKG is a decentralised data provenance system for improved governance and portability of personal data.

Team: Jurij Škornik, Branimir Rakić, Djordje Kovačević, Miloš Kotlar, Stevan Nešović, Irena Čuturić, Ana Bevc, Nejc Novak

Open Provenance Knowledge Graph (OpenPKG) is a decentralised knowledge graph for improved governance, portability, and privacy of personal data.

An open-source infrastructural foundation is being created and used to design a system that organisations can use to automate their GDPR compliance and have a transparent way of handling personal data. With its decentralised data provenance system, OpenPKG is introducing an efficient approach to tackle data transparency and portability challenges, also advancing governance and control over personal data by users. The system introduces a middle ground between data subjects, data controllers, and data processors that enables the required transparency when it comes to managing personal data.

An individual-focused web application will allow individuals to search for provenance of their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) within selected organisations, triggering responses to Data Subject Access Requests (DSAR) and providing full visibility to which data is accessible by organisations and what type of usage/processing it was subjected to.

OpenPKG system is open-source, neutral, and inclusive in order to omit service provider lock-ins. Utilising open standards, vocabularies, and ontologies, structured data will be available for easier transfers between service providers. As current solutions lack visualisation tools that would improve users’ understanding of their own data-usage lifecycle and to make informed decisions to retake control of their data, better user experience is to be employed in the OpenPKG to aid users take more active roles as prosumers.

The OpenPKG supports key vocabularies and ontologies to ensure interoperability and enable data connectivity. In order to achieve data integrity, it leverages decentralised networks but without ever exposing personal data to anyone without permissions. Most importantly, it takes into account both users and service providers by allowing clear data ownership and flexible consent management for users (data subjects), and automated DSAR compliance and positive differentiation for service providers.

Achievements from the first phase of the DAPSI programme

Trace Labs successfully developed and validated the OpenPKG prototype and the underlying open-source infrastructure. The prototype helped generate interest with our partners, confirming that OpenPKG efficiently addresses an existing business problem. OpenPKG is a tool that on one hand gives individuals control over the personal data collected on websites they visit, and on the other hand streamlines the process and reduces costs of Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) for any organization with a website. A quick demo video, showing how OpenPKG works, is presented below:

Testimonial

Our participation in the DAPSI program provided us with a well-rounded support environment, significantly contributing to the successful development of the OpenPKG prototype. Takeaways from both business and technical trainings served as valuable input throughout our development journey

Jurij Skornik

Team

    Jurij Škornik

    is a seasoned manager in charge of operations at Trace Labs, working also on DSAR processes with partners such as BSI, with substantial experience in supporting digital transformation of large global firms as a former senior consultant at DHL Consulting.

      Branimir Rakić

      is Trace Labs’ CTO, an active member of open-source communities (W3C, Fiware, NGI), an expert on identity standards (GS1, W3C), who has been leading successful implementations of OriginTrail technology with various systems, has integrated advanced features (identity, consensus check, zero knowledge proofs) to the OriginTrail protocol, and designed solutions with Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric blockchains.

        Djordje Kovačević

        is an experienced software developer with several years of experience in developing identity-based solutions (eID) and ample experience developing user-centric applications, from web applications to mobile solutions.

          4. Miloš Kotlar

          is a PhD candidate at the University of Belgrade (cryptography and data structures) and is developing privacy solutions within the Trace Labs team, focusing on the p2p network implementation and communication protocols, and linked data of the OriginTrail infrastructure.

            Stevan Nešović

            is the lead application developer at Trace Labs, focusing his efforts on the development of applications, particularly its API infrastructure to support integration features with external systems, and has extensive experience in working with the OriginTrail Decentralized Network and Ethereum.

              Irena Čuturić

              has been designing user experiences in the field of blockchain-based applications since 2016 and has ample experience with user-centric tools, agile product development, graphic design, sports and events photography, videography, and 3D animation.

                Ana Bevc

                is versed in managing relationships with different communities both European and global, as well as managing operations for different projects, and is an active participant in NGI workshops for human-centric design.

                  Nejc Novak

                  is a highly regarded lawyer with a Master of Law from the University College London, who mainly advises clients on corporate and commercial transactions and is particularly active as a legal expert in the world of start-ups and angel/VC investors.

                  Entities

                  Trace Labs
                  Enabling businesses to harness the value of interconnected data and solve their business challenges with trusted network applications.

                  https://tracelabs.io/

                  https://origintrail.io/

                  Novak Law
                  An international law firm based in the EU specialised in the fields of corporate and commercial law with deep passion for innovation and everything digital, which is recognized by its clients as an advantage when solving their complex legal matters in creative and practical ways.

                  http://novak-law.eu/en/

                  OPEN PKG