The Data Problem — A Solution & A Shift In Strategy?

6 min readApr 18, 2022

The Data Problem

Users do not have access to the full benefits of their own personal data

When we look at user data we see an extremely valuable resource. We also see a current data system which disallows users access to 2 key benefits that data can provide:

1. Monetary Value

Machine learning is at the core of most technologies we use today, however it requires data to improve. Therefore it could be said that data is an important input for the progression of technology. Due to this there is a growing demand for the sort of user data we generate through websites and apps on a daily basis.

Currently this data is collected and stored by Big Tech before being anonymised and sold to companies who can use it. But the data being sold is nothing more than an unrefined bunch of clicks! So not only are users missing out on revenue but technology is being progressed with suboptimal data. We believe we can help users increase the accuracy, and subsequently the value, of these data sets — helping with the progression of technology whilst ensuring users are the ones to receive the revenue from its sale.

Furthermore, data provides value and creates wealth via companies who pay good money to show you advertisements on platforms like Facebook or Google, because this form of targeted advertising is only possible because of your data. We believe that a similar transaction could exist but directly with you — the creator of the data and the viewer of the advertisement.

USERS: Internet users who generate data through activity on websites and applications

DATA SOURCES: Companies that collect data on users e.g. Big tech (Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft)

DATA BUYERS: Companies that pay money for access to user data e.g. machine learning companies, market research firms

2. Non-monetary Value

Business models of the Big Tech boom are built around collecting massive amounts of data at the expense of our attention. Due to this dependency on our attention, there is an incentive to create user experiences that are addictive and encourage unconscious browsing.

Furthermore, we believe that what we see online effects how we feel offline, and since we spend a lot of time online, the content we surround ourselves with, and how it effects us, must become an important consideration. We call this your online environment.

Since most apps/websites use data-fuelled algorithms to try optimise your user experience, it can be said that the more accurate the data used to fuel these algorithms, the better your overall user experience will be.

Therefore, by simply creating a data set which perfectly reflects you as a person — we call this data set your Digital Identity — you are able to optimise your user experience by surrounding yourself with content which is perfectly aligned with the type of person you are or want to be. This is a positive online environment and ultimately creates a more conscious browsing experience, which optimises user happiness (on and offline) over user attention. A healthy Digital Identity leads to a positive online environment.

The Shift Solution:

Understand — Create — Earn — Integrate

The imbalance in the data economy is not a quick fix. In order for a complete revolution to occur, we need a large group of internet users to work together, creating data sets that are so accurate that it takes the power away from the Big Tech companies that hold, and monetise, majority of the data today. We believe that the solution requires internet users to undergo a simple 4 step process:

1. Understand

The first step is to make sure we all understand the concept of data. Only through understanding will users feel comfortable to begin using data for their own benefit. The Data Decoder is designed to familiarise everyday consumers with data and answers questions like What is data? What is a Digital Identity? Why is it valuable? How can I begin seeing the benefits of my own data?

2. Create

The second step is arguably the most important and involves users creating a hyper-personalised, verified data set of themselves — called a Digital Identity. Only through this process of creating can we take back control of our data. The data sets created will be stored in secure, decentralised, Data Wallets.

3. Earn

The third step involves the monetisation of Digital Identities through Data Staking. This will mark the first time majority of internet users get rewarded for their data. In this step our goal is to derive the greatest value possible from your data — making sure you receive the maximum monetary and non-monetary rewards.

4. Integrate

The last step is what allows users to access the non-monetary rewards of data and involves being able to integrate these customised data sets into the algorithms behind various websites and dApps. Data Passports allow users to enter different online environments with a base set of data that they have chosen — ensuring complete optimisation whilst remaining anonymous.

The Data Shift is building a community of individuals who believe there is something fundamentally wrong with the data economy of today. We believe, that through strength in numbers, it is possible to shift the data paradigm and strive for a fair economy, which is why as a movement we aim to reach far and wide, shedding light on the inequality that exists in the data economy of today.

Join The Shift:

A community who give a shift about data

Shifters

We aim to achieve real change by casting a wide net across different consumer groups, whilst using thoughtful marketing, engaging content, and a user-centric platform to make data into a relatable, easy to understand, everyday asset.

Although we welcome existing data and web3 enthusiasts onto our platform (and will be reliant on their feedback and participation), our niche revolves around the capturing of non-data/web3 users, adopters or enthusiasts. We believe majority of internet users fall into this group and thus capturing this market will lead to the greatest influx of numbers into the data space, giving us the greatest chance to make a meaningful change in the data economy whilst increasing the rate of adoption into web3. We call the group of users that undergo this transition with us, Shifters, and this is the niche we serve.

$hift

The Data Shift rewards Shifters fairly for their data. Profits will flow transparently to users with a small % being reserved for The Data Shift pool and distributed to ensure maintenance of the platform.

Shift Ecosystem

A suite of tools which improve data collection, monetisation or customisation and ultimately help us get closer to achieving our vision. Which tools we prioritise first will be a collective decision made by our community of Shifters through the Data DAO.

Eager to join our community and take back control: https://thedatashift.com/

#jointheshift