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Data Sovereignty

Data sovereignty puts residents in control of their personal and community data. Through L{CORE} attestations and privacy-preserving technology, individuals can share verified data while maintaining protection—enabling new possibilities for local stakeholders who currently lack access to micro-level community data.

The Data Access Problem​

The Chokepoint for Local Stakeholders​

Local governments, non-profits, and businesses face a critical barrier: lack of access to micro-level data from residents. This data chokepoint prevents effective decision-making:

StakeholderData NeedCurrent Barrier
Local GovernmentReal-time infrastructure usage, public health trendsData locked in corporate silos (Google, Apple, utilities)
Non-ProfitsCommunity needs assessment, program impactExpensive surveys, outdated census data
Local BusinessesNeighborhood traffic, customer behaviorCan't afford enterprise analytics platforms
Urban PlannersMovement patterns, resource utilizationAggregated data too coarse for local decisions

Corporate Data Extraction​

Today's data economy extracts value from individuals without compensation:

IssueImpact
No CompensationCompanies profit billions from user data; users get nothing
No ControlData is sold, shared, and aggregated without consent
No TransparencyUsers don't know who has their data or how it's used
No Local AccessData flows to global corporations, not local institutions

The Locale Approach​

User-Controlled Data​

Data Sovereignty Model
DATA SOVEREIGNTY
User Ownership
Control your data
Privacy First
Encrypted by default
Selective Access
Grant permissions
L{CORE} Storage
Verifiable, encrypted, user-controlled

Privacy-First Architecture​

FeatureProtection
Zero-Knowledge ProofsProve facts without revealing underlying data
Anonymized AggregationShare trends without individual identification
Encrypted StorageData encrypted at rest and in transit
Selective DisclosureShare only what's necessary, nothing more

Data Sharing Model​

How It Works​

Residents can participate by sharing verified, anonymized data:

  1. Generate Data — IoT devices, wearables, or manual input
  2. Attest via L{CORE} — Cryptographically verify authenticity
  3. Set Privacy Level — Choose what to share and with whom
  4. Receive Compensation — Earn local stablecoins for verified data

Data Categories​

Data CategoryExample Uses
Air QualityUrban planning, health research
Traffic PatternsCity infrastructure, navigation
Energy UsageGrid optimization, sustainability
Health MetricsPublic health research (anonymized)
Weather DataHyperlocal forecasting

Privacy Tiers​

Users choose their comfort level:

TierWhat's SharedTrade-off
AnonymousAggregated stats onlyMaximum privacy, base compensation
PseudonymousPatterns with ID removedBalanced privacy and value
VerifiedFull data with attestationMaximum value, selective disclosure

Integration with L{CORE}​

Verified Data Provenance​

L{CORE} attestations ensure data integrity:

Device (did:key) → TEE Attestation → Zero-Knowledge Proof →
Verified Data Available → Buyer Compensates → User Earns

IoT Device Integration​

Connect sensors and devices to participate:

  • Air Quality Monitors — PurpleAir, Awair, custom sensors
  • Smart Meters — Energy usage with privacy controls
  • Traffic Sensors — Anonymous vehicle counting
  • Weather Stations — Hyperlocal weather data

Benefits​

For Individuals​

  • Earn from your data — Fair compensation for verified data
  • Control your privacy — Share only what you choose
  • Transparency — See exactly who accesses your data

For Local Stakeholders​

  • Access micro-level data — Finally get the granular data needed for local decisions
  • Ethical sourcing — Clear consent and fair compensation models
  • Verified quality — Attested, authentic data from real residents
  • Affordable access — Community data pools reduce costs

For Communities​

  • Better planning — Real data for real decisions
  • Economic benefit — Data value stays local
  • Privacy standards — Community-set protections

Next Steps​