Building the future for data portability
Launched in November 2019, the Data Portability and Services Incubator (DAPSI) will empower internet innovators to develop new solutions and services addressing the challenges of Data Portability as underseen in the GDPR. We spoked with the project’s coordinator Sara Mateo to find out more about the programme.
As coordinator of the Data Portability and Services Incubator, launched under the European Commission’s Next Generation Initiative, what is your perspective on the Data Portability regulation and its practicality?
With the GDPR, Data protection is recognised as a fundamental right. Data Portability is part of this citizens’ right. It will give users more control over their personal data, to reuse it and transfer it from one service provider to another easily. However, although the purpose is clear and might sound easy, is far less in practice and there is still much work to do to really implement it.
Research is needed to set the principles to allow the development of Data Portability solutions.
How is DAPSI approaching the process of fostering innovation on the Data Portability field?
DAPSI is a programme designed to support internet innovators contributing to the Data Portability field. We will support them with up to 150k€ equity-free funding, training in business and data related topics, coaching, mentoring, visibility and community building support. It will give them the financial support, skills and guidance needed to deliver a viable and operational solution in 9 months.
With this opportunity, around 50 brilliant researchers and developers will have the resources to make Data Portability happen.
Who are you looking to involve in the programme?
We target internet technologists, researchers and innovators willing to make a better internet, delivering new services with potential to improve the internet infrastructure or those with the purpose to reach the market in the short run with their solutions.
They can participate as natural person or legal entity, individually or in consortia.
Any combination is possible, always they propose excellent ideas.
What makes the DAPSI stand out among other initiatives aiming at the internet of the future?
There are other projects funded under the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative by the European Commission with aim to support innovators working in the future internet. However, DAPSI is the one focused on the specific topic of Data Portability. We call for projects addressing topics such as Data Transparency for a more transparent personal data storage and a more fine-grained data transfer when exercising personal data access rights; Data Compatibility & Interoperability to facilitate switches between service providers; Security & Privacy of consumers when their personal data are transferred from one provider to another; or other relevant solutions in the Data Portability domain.
What are your expectations for DAPSI? And what will define its success?
Definitely, I have ambitious expectations for this programme. We will distribute 5.6M€ to engage top-notch innovators developing solutions with high potential to reach the market in many cases. So, to see the supported teams entering the market, generate new business opportunities and new internet companies would be a great success for DAPSI consortium.