About Hu-manity.co
What is the mission of Hu-manity.co?
Hu-manity.co exists to empower individuals to own their data as their property and then we fight for and provide the tools for people to receive fair market value for their data as an asset. The data property movement is on the side of fairness and of regular people. It allows people to have a seat at the table so they can control and make money off of what is rightfully theirs. At the same time, it provides tremendous advantages for businesses to an adult relationship with people where both the individual and the corporation can thrive in a new data economy.
Why the 31st Human Right?
In 1948, the United Nations enacted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There were 30 human rights listed in this document. These human rights are still very relevant to this day. These rights look at the mistakes of the past to make sure they would never happen again. What we are proposing is a new human right which looks at the challenges specifically faced in a digital age. The 31stHuman Right is:
“Everyone has the right to legal ownership of their inherent human data as property.”
What is the #My31 movement?
This is the movement to champion the 31stHuman Right, to make people’s data their personal property. A digital movement deserves an appropriate digital tool as the rallying cry. No longer will you have to grab signs and a megaphone, you can join this movement from your couch with the #My31 app (iPhone and Android).
How does Hu-manity.co make money?
The company was founded on a simple principle: We have to help a lot of people first and continue to help them, in order to be successful.
Once enough people have joined the movement, and we are able to set up the pathways for people to get paid for their data, we will be charging a small fee to the buyers of the data in order to give them access to these higher quality data sets.
What is the difference between Hu-manity.org, Hu-manity.science and Hu-manity.co?
The #My31 movement requires many different stakeholders to understand and grow the idea that inherent human data is personal property. We have created a couple divisions of our business to help support the policy and research aspects of the movement.
Our Fellows at Hu-manity.org are responsible for championing choice and continuous consent to ensure that people have a say as to how their data is used.
Our Scholars at Hu-manity.science are responsible for researching the convergence of social good and technological innovation.
Each is a division of Hu-manity.co, the commercial vehicle that is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the #My31 app.
Are you a non-profit?
No. Hu-manity.co is a for-profit company with a corporate mission to help millions of people around the world claim their data as their property, have control around how their data is used and receive fair market compensation for the use of their data.
Who are your partners?
IBM– we have built our technology on IBM technology and are working together to make sure everyone’s data is respected as personal property.
Orb Health– the first electronic medical record company to sign up for supporting the idea that people should own their data as property. Once we have reached a critical mass of users, they will be offering explicitly consented data to pharmaceutical companies and researchers.
Imcon International– the makers of an internet backpack with the goal of connecting the nearly 4 billion people on the planet who do not have internet access. Everyone who is born into the internet for the first time and connected using the backpack, will automatically have their 31stHuman Right intact. In the Republic of Liberia alone, we estimate this would increase the GDP by 3%.
PulsePoint– a leader in programmatic advertising in the healthcare space. This partnership is our opening into the world of advertising data. Imagine a premium network where everyone who is on a network has chosen what information they would like to receive ads for and what information they are willing to share about themselves. Once mainstream… no longer will you be stalked by ads on the internet. You will only be presented with ads you have chosen.
Data
Data Privacy vs. Data as Property
Property laws are enforceable and powerful. The notion of data privacy is nebulous and difficult to enforce. If we asked you if the company you work for cares about privacy, the vast majority of you would say, “Yes. It does.” However, if we asked you if you feel your personal privacy is being respected when it comes to your data, most people we talk with agree… it is not.
Privacy is a myth we tell ourselves. It is easy for governments and companies to check a box and say they care about privacy but what does that accomplish? It is very difficult to enforce privacy laws. There is a ton of disagreement over how these laws should be established and what should be emphasized. The results tend to be unfair to the individual, corporations, government and often all of the above.
Property rights on the other hand are well established globally. Clear laws have been established over property ownership so there is no need to re-think the legal corridors. Property ownership has extended to intellectual property. Why shouldn’t the same logic and laws apply to data ownership? There is no need to reinvent the “legal wheel” so to speak. Use the laws already in place rather than starting from scratch and crafting brand new “data privacy” legislation.
When you own something, you control how it is used. You can lease it if you want, you can donate it or you can simply keep it. That is what we mean when we say, “Property is powerful.”
Is Hu-manity.co against data and trying to limit the use of data?
Absolutely not. We are pro-data. Data makes the world go round. It is truly the currency of the future. This fact is exactly why we as humans should own the data we create and allow it to flow freely while laws should be established which respect our individual choices around how we would like our data used.
What is inherent human data?
It is the information that exists before someone measures it or records it. For example, you still drove a certain path even if no app tracked and recorded your movement. In order for a machine to determine your heart rate, your heart still has to beat. You made certain purchases before the credit reporting companies aggregated your purchases. Inherent human data is the information we create as humans prior to information being measured or recorded.
What is the size of the data marketplace?
Right now, the data marketpalce is estimated at somewhere between $150-200B annually. The healthcare data marketplace alone is estimated at $67B annually. Currently, people have no control of how, what or if their data is used and no way of having a seat at the table.
What is the exponential growth of data?
With all of the connected homes (think Amazon Echo and Google Home), IoT, facial recognition and genetic testing being done, the future value of data is growing exponentially. We envision a day when data will become part of a person’s estate and net worth, providing for the future of their families. We just need to secure ownership for all people now, before the market becomes too large and we lose the ability to take back what is ours.
Is Hu-manity.co holding, storing or collecting your data medical/health data?
No. The data will remain with whomever is storing, collecting and selling it now. We represent the title to your data, but not the data itself. The title is connected to the choices a person makes as to how they would like their data used. We then take your choices and fight for them to be respected across the data marketplace.
Is there a benefit to explicitly consented data for business/companies?
Yes. A significant benefit. Explicitly consent data at scale is something the world has never been offered. Because it puts the choice in the hands of the individual. The individual for the first time ever has a financial incentive to offer their data for use. This also provides a two-way relationship between an individual and a company. The more data an individual provides, the more that person can financially benefit from the relationship and the more information a company can receive for research, marketing, etc.
This has the potential of speeding research and would lead to more effective research by providing higher quality and verifiable data while simultaneously respecting the individual who owns the data. So, for example, the individual and pharmaceutical industry can both thrive. These better data sets can actually help drive better and more efficient research, potentially bringing more effective medicines to the market. While simultaneously respecting people’s right to use their data as they see fit.
What do you mean by a digital title to my data?
It works just like a title you can receive for your car or your house. This is a title of ownership for your DIGITALdata. Means you own your data as your property.
What does fair-trade data mean?
This is like fair-trade coffee but with data. Meaning, there was a fair exchange of data by consenting parties with transparent protocols and values. In other words, everyone has received fair market value for their part of exchange and no one was stolen from or taken advantage of.
Why start with healthcare/medical data?
Healthcare/medical data is one of the largest datasets, one of most valuable and perhaps the most personal. And, most people don’t even realize their data is being de-identified and then sold without their explicit consent often times for large profits.
Consumers benefit because they can take control of their most sensitive information, while getting better access to (and delivery of) life critical solutions from providers and are not cut of the deal as the data brokers are already selling patient data sets from lab work to prescriptions to procedures and beyond
Pharmaceutical companies and researchers benefit by getting higher quality data to help design more meaningful and impactful solutions which could lead to better outcomes and even cures.
Furthermore, if we launched the movement on all datasets at once (e.g. consumer spending habits, geospatial data, driver and vehicle information, energy consumption, browsing history, etc) it could be too much of a shift of thinking and it could destabilize the flow of data. That is not our goal. We want data to continue flowing smoothly and give society time to adapt and embrace this new property centric and inclusive approach to data.
The 31st Human Right Movement
What is the 31st Human Right?
The 31st Human Right declares “Everyone has the right to legal ownership of their inherent human data as property.” It would be added to the existing 30 human rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and bestowed to every human at birth. The current human rights look at the mistakes of the past, but they do not adequately handle the challenges of a digital age. The 31st Human Right is being created in a decentralized way, meaning if you and enough other people agree that your data is your property, than it is. Despite the decentralized nature of the #My31 movement, it has the the support of different government bodies, companies and officials from around the world.
Why should I claim the 31st Human Right?
Without the 31st Human Right to assure that your personal data is your personal property, organizations will continue to buy, sell and use it without your choice, consent or control as to where, how, when or by whom it is used. And, the 31st Human Right resolves perhaps the most important question: who owns the data? Not only does personal data ownership allow you to make money off of the exponentially growing value of your human data but it puts legal safeguards in place for the future of the human species as data continues to be the fuel of the systems and companies that run the world.
How do I claim the 31st Human Right?
Head to the #My31 screen and tap the first task card there. You will need to create an account with us, and then you will be able to claim your right. Your claim will be recorded on Hu-manity.co’s Human Data Consent and Authorization Blockchain (HD-CAB).
What is Inherent Human data?
Inherent human data is not just our browser & social media data. It goes way beyond facebook. Inherent human datasets also include our geospatial data, driver and vehicle history, consumer spending habits, healthcare history, travel, energy consumption, recreational habits like fitness tracking and beyond.
Your Data Property and Privacy
What is a data property title?
After you’ve claimed your 31st Human Right you will receive a title for your digital data declaring it as your personal property. This title is like the property title you receive for a car or house.
Why do I need a data property title?
Data classified as legal property will give you higher levels of legal control over the privacy and security of your data, and will qualify you to receive consideration when your data is bought and sold.
How will my data be protected?
The simple explanation is once enough people claim their data as their property, Hu-manity.co will be able to fight for your data rights. We have designed new intelligent contracts on blockchains which empower us to negotiate on your behalf, new terms of consent and authorization with corporations so that your inherent human data can be respected as your legal property. Hu-manity.co’s global Human Data Consent and Authorization Blockchain (HD-CAB) is built on a “chain of chains” strategy combining Ethereum and other fabrics.
Is Hu-manity.co using my data?
We do NOT collect or store your data. Think of us as a title company for your data property. We ensure companies currently using your data have a transparent and reliable way to know who you are, and to respect the preferences you have set about how you would like your data to be used.
How the #My31 app works
The app is a tool that powers a movement for people to own their data as property. Anyone who claims their data as their property on our app (which is free) will get a digital title of ownership for their data (like a title for a car or house). Then, our blockchain powered technology tracks and traces an individual’s data as it moves through existing marketplaces. This process provides security, trust and transparency.
On the app, users can manage how, where and if they would like their data used. As certain movement goals are reached, further functionalities will be unlocked. To learn more about the movement goals click here
Listing Preferences, Hu Coins and Rewards
Why do I need a data listing?
With a title of ownership, you can then set how you would like your data to be respected by companies. We call this your “Data Listings.” These preferences allow you to state your wish: that your data is never used, is only used for research purposes, or even that you desire to be paid when your data is used. You are able to update your “Data Listings” at any time.
Why do I need to verify my identity?
In order for you to have the legal authority to manage your data property, receive compensation and prevent identity theft; we need to confirm you are who you say you are. We use a third-party company that specificializes in this essential verification process. As a result, Hu-manity.co does not record or even have access to Information like your social security number. That information is purely used for verification purposes.
My listing is active, what does this mean?
An “active” listing means you have completed setting your preferences as to how you would like your data used and have completed all of the steps necessary to being able to manage your data property. At any time, you will be able to update your “data listing.” United States residents can elect to have all, part or none of their healthcare records on the new marketplace to be respected as personal property, and receive consideration via multiple forms of currency.
Can I get paid right away?
Not yet. We need a critical mass of people to download the app and claim their 31st Human Right before we are able to get you fair compensation for your data. Once you have set your listing preferences, Hu-manity.co will act as an agent on behalf of groups of users to notify companies and negotiate to have your preferences respected. The more people who set their preferences, the easier and faster it is for Hu-manity.co to notify, and successfully negotiate with companies. This process will take time; we need 100,000 people to start our first notification, and begin negotiation with healthcare companies.
What is Hu?
Hu is a reward token you can earn by completing actions within the app, such as finishing your profile and sharing the #My31 movement with friends and family. These tokens are exchangeable for items listed in #My31 Store. Items in the store include gear with the #My31 movement logo on them, Amazon gift cards and more. We are always working to expand the items available in the store so please check in regularly.
Can I convert my Hu to cash?
Today, Hu cannot be converted into traditional fiat currency (eg. dollars). However, as both the movement and the adoption of the consent ledger grow, new kinds of offers and incentives may be offered, including cash alongside Hu.
Why is the listing preferences only about my healthcare records?
Healthcare is the first industry and dataset that Hu-manity.co will approach. It is the largest, most valuable and most personal. Healthcare records, as an individual’s electronic medical history, can be sold for hundreds of dollars to multiple buyers, in different markets across the world multiple times per year. It is estimated the data trade in healthcare alone results in an estimated $67B annually.
As the movement grows, we will be adding to the control you will have over your healthcare data. Not only will you be able to decide the length of your lease term and what type of data you are willing to share but you will eventually be able to manage the type of research you wish to support and beyond. Check back regularly to see if any new listing preferences have been enabled.
Will I be paid for my data in cash or Hu?
It is up to you. Once we have reached a critical mass of people, negotiated on everyone’s behalf and have begun to get you paid for your data; we plan to offer payment in either Hu or fiat currency (eg. dollars).
Does it cost anything to use the #My31 app?
There is no cost to download the app or claim your 31stHuman Right or eventually receive compensation for your data. This is the service we provide.