Data Union for protection and use of personal information

My latest thoughts about network personal identity (NPI) reminded me of an idea I had many years ago, something I called a Data Union. The idea is that a "data union" (the term is derived from "data bank" and "credit union") is a place where consumers can safely and securely store personal information, in such a way that it is only disclosed to third-parties to the extent authorized by the consumer. The intention is to give consumers a safe way to earn some "interest" from the aspects of their personal information which are of significant value to businesses that seek to market to consumers. The flip side is that the high quality of the data is very attractive to marketers.

So, a Data Union is simply yet another example of the pressing need for a Network Personal Identity (NPI).

-- Jack Krupansky