Have you ever wondered how much Facebook really knows about you and how to reclaim your personal data from their platform? Ruben Verborgh, a professor of Semantic Web technology at Ghent University, decided to take on the challenge of retrieving his personal data from Facebook. In this interview, we explore his journey, the issue of data ownership, and his vision for a decentralized approach to data management.
Andy: Ruben, what got you interested in data privacy?
Ruben: My journey into data privacy started with my work on open data, particularly in the medical sector. During that time, I realized that data could be used more effectively if machines were able to understand and analyze it. This led me to research at Stanford University, focusing on biomedical data. Around December 2016, significant events like the Brexit vote highlighted the growing concerns over data usage, and that’s when I began diving deeper into data privacy.
During my time in Silicon Valley, I saw firsthand the influence of Facebook and other tech giants. Facebook was already shaping how personal data was collected, used, and controlled. That experience made me realize the importance of taking control of personal data, which later became my mission.
Andy: How did your experience with Facebook shape your views on data ownership?
Ruben: Living near Facebook HQ during a pivotal time in tech history made me realize how little control users had over their own data. Facebook’s shift from human editors to algorithmic news feeds, as well as their eventual focus on combating fake news, were eye-opening moments. Facebook and other tech companies made it clear: they were not concerned with user autonomy over personal data.
When I decided to leave Facebook, it wasn’t just about deleting my account—it was about retrieving all the data they had on me, including the data they had collected that I never explicitly provided. Facebook’s data export tool only gives users access to data they’ve uploaded, not everything Facebook has gathered through tracking, analysis, and algorithms. I wanted to know exactly what data they held, including sensitive data like my geographical locations, spending habits, and behavioral patterns.
Andy: How did you approach getting your data from Facebook?
Ruben: The process is ongoing, and I haven’t received any of the data I requested yet. What I found is that Facebook has an internal GDPR department that is supposed to handle data requests, but their approach seems to be one of delay and confusion. They often misinterpret requests and provide vague responses. It’s clear that their strategy is to make it as difficult as possible for people to retrieve their data, hoping that users will give up.
This is where the need for decentralized data solutions becomes critical. If users had more control over their own data—stored in secure, decentralized vaults—they wouldn’t have to rely on tech giants like Facebook to grant them access. Instead of collecting data in centralized silos, we could leverage decentralized technologies to ensure that individuals own and control their data.
Andy: Why do you think companies like Facebook resist sharing user data?
Ruben: Facebook and similar companies are afraid of setting a precedent. If they release my data, others will start requesting theirs, and the floodgates will open. The current model of centralized data storage and control works in their favor. By making it difficult for users to retrieve their data, they prevent mass awareness of how much personal information is being collected and misused. But if decentralized solutions were more widely adopted, it could change the entire data ecosystem, allowing individuals to take back control.
Andy: How do you see decentralized technologies impacting data ownership?
Ruben: The future of data ownership lies in decentralized systems like Solid, where individuals store their data in personal vaults, known as “data pods.” These decentralized solutions ensure that you are the sole owner of your data. You decide what to share and with whom, while maintaining control over the structure of your data. The semantic web plays a key role in making this data interoperable across different platforms, which is essential for creating a seamless experience where users can maintain control without sacrificing convenience.
Andy: Do you think the public is ready for this level of control over their data?
Ruben: Empowerment is key. Not everyone may want to manage their own data, and that’s okay. But we need to give people the option. Right now, users are forced to surrender their data to centralized platforms like Facebook if they want to use their services. By shifting to decentralized solutions, individuals can control their data without the need to rely on these platforms. It’s about giving people the freedom to choose what data to share, when to share it, and with whom.
In conclusion, the decentralized web offers a promising solution to the ongoing challenges of data ownership and privacy. By putting data back into the hands of individuals, we can begin to shift the balance of power away from centralized corporations and create a more user-centric internet.