Data Cooperatives as Catalysts for Collaboration, Data Sharing, and the (Trans)Formation of the Digital Commons

Abstract

Network effects, economies of scale, and lock-in-effects increasingly lead to a concentration of digital resources and capabilities, hindering the free and equitable development of digital entrepreneurship (SDG9), new skills, and jobs (SDG8), especially in small communities (SDG11) and their small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”). To ensure the affordability and accessibility of technologies, promote digital entrepreneurship and community well-being (SDG3), and protect digital rights, we propose data cooperatives [1,2] as a vehicle for secure, trusted, and sovereign data exchange [3,4]. In post-pandemic times, community/SME-led cooperatives can play a vital role by ensuring that supply chains to support digital commons are uninterrupted, resilient, and decentralized [5]. Digital commons and data sovereignty provide communities with affordable and easy access to information and the ability to collectively negotiate data-related decisions. Moreover, cooperative commons (a) provide access to the infrastructure that underpins the modern economy, (b) preserve property rights, and (c) ensure that privatization and monopolization do not further erode self-determination, especially in a world increasingly mediated by AI. Thus, governance plays a significant role in accelerating communities’/SMEs’ digital transformation and addressing their challenges. Cooperatives thrive on digital governance and standards such as open trusted Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that increase the efficiency, technological capabilities, and capacities of participants and, most importantly, integrate, enable, and accelerate the digital transformation of SMEs in the overall process. This policy paper presents and discusses several transformative use cases for cooperative data governance. The use cases demonstrate how platform/data-cooperatives, and their novel value creation can be leveraged to take digital commons and value chains to a new level of collaboration while addressing the most pressing community issues. The proposed framework for a digital federated and sovereign reference architecture will create a blueprint for sustainable development both in the Global South and North.

Smart Rural Communities: Action Research in Colombia and Mozambique

“…In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, the following ideas have the potential to be implemented after discussion with stakeholders in the Living Lab, considering the specific contextual conditions: (i) Develop and implement innovative and sustainable agricultural practices led by women through (data) cooperatives [74][75][76]. These practices should be tailored to the specific needs and challenges of rural communities in Mozambique such as introducing drought-resistant crops and utilizing precision agriculture techniques.…”

Disruptive Technologies for e-Diasporas: Blockchain, DAOs, Data Cooperatives, Metaverse, and ChatGPT

“…2. Data sharing: Data cooperatives enable e-diaspora communities to collaboratively and securely share data, facilitating the development of new products and services tailored to the community's specific needs (Bühler et al, 2023a). 3.…”

“…Considering the arguments and counterarguments in this ongoing debate, an alternative and widespread response has emerged from crypto-libertarian or pseudo-anarchist positions. This has given rise to a growing body of literature on decentralized systems in peer-to-peer interactions, with a particular focus on blockchain (Tapscott & Tapscott, 2016;Zook, 2023), DAOs (Buterin, 2022;Mathew, 2016;Monsees, 2019;Rennie et al, 2022;Rodima-Taylor & Grimes, 2019), and data cooperatives (Bühler et al, 2023a;Spelliscy et al, 2023). Blockchain technology can aid in creating secure and decentralized environments for these platforms, ensuring the privacy and protection of users' data and interactions.…”

“…DAOs could improve decision-making efficiency and collaboration among diaspora communities, as well as enable the development of decentralized platforms for economic and social exchange within these networks. Additionally, data cooperatives are gaining momentum as another alternative pathway in international digital policy forums (Bühler et al, 2023a;Mannan & Pek, 2023). Among these decentralized disruptive technologies, the emergence of the Metaverse and ChatGPT has significantly impacted the digital sphere, particularly in the context of e-diasporas.…”

“…This shift towards decentralized governance challenges the very core of Big Tech's dominance, offering a more equitable and democratic approach to data management. In this digital utopia, data cooperatives emerge as key players, enabling individuals to collectively manage and profit from their data (Calzada, 2021b;Bühler et al, 2023a). Digital citizens are no longer mere consumers; they become active participants, shaping the rules and benefits of the data ecosystem they are a part of (Bignami et al, 2023;Farrell et al, 2023).…”