How would you manage data scattered across shopping apps, phone providers, loyalty programs, and government records? Dealing with every organization yourself could be overwhelming. A data intermediary is an organization that could serve as your interface to that data, helping you access and manage it through one or more accounts. section 8.4 section 8.4.3
The aim is to shift some control from companies that collect data to the people who generate it. Under the EU Data Governance Act, data intermediation can include a pool formed by several people or organizations to license use of their combined data and reward contributors. Data intermediaries are also described as data cooperatives or data unions. section 4.7.1 section 6.7 section 6.0
In the proposed arrangement, you could:
- Connect accounts held by companies and public bodies, rather than contact every holder separately. section 8.4.1 section 8.4.3
- Choose which data joins which group, and pursue goals such as privacy, revenue, or support for a cause. section 6.7
- Revise your objectives as your needs change, including changing terms or blocking access to a group. section 6.7 section 8.6.2
Different goals, different pools
You might group purchase data with other shoppers’ data if you want to seek revenue. Or you might contribute browsing data to a group intended to help a charity reach potential donors. Neither choice has to govern all your data: different portions could serve different goals. section 6.7
Many promised capabilities remain a vision, not an account you can assume is available everywhere. Proposals describe intermediaries connecting to data holders and offering tools to group data, understand demand, and manage preferences. Predictions of licensed markets, widespread connections, and particular services should not be mistaken for established practice. The useful question for you is what control you would want: access, limits on sharing, support for a cause, payment, or some combination. section 8.4.1 section 8.4.2 section 8.6 section 8.6.2
