Intro to Me2B (1/4)

Introduction to Me2B (1/4)

Thursday 11B

Convener: Lisa LeVasseur

Notes-taker(s): Thomas Berry

Tags for the session - technology discussed/ideas considered:

Discussion notes, key understandings, outstanding questions, observations, and, if appropriate to this discussion: action items, next steps:

1. Notes received from Thomas Berry:

Trustable Technology

• formal vocabulary is still in the works
• Open to feedback if something isn’t quite right
• Define, Specify, Certify, Educate public

Vision (A) To restore human dignity in connected products and services

Vision (B) Achieving Digital Dignity: realizing the Social Contract in the 21st century

Comment:

• should emphasize “confidence” and trust

Group prefers A

Recommended Vision: Achieving Digital Dignity in connected products and services

The Problem:

Today’s consumer technology marketplace is dominated by business models that are exploiting people.

Ecosystem - Trusted Engagement between individual and business

Usability must be effortless

How to balance the scale: business models got us here; new business models are needed; people need options (choices)

Disruption: Consumer adoption/consumer pull — critical mass of useful apps/services

new category: Me2B

App Developers: Solid, Hub of All Things (HAT), Lifescope, Citizen Me, Digi.me, [people.io], whimsical

Make it economically practical for app developers: interoperability (specs defined)

Write once; port with ease

Why a market-making consortium

This has been done before:

CDMA development group

• cut and pasted specs from two competing specs
• Performed certification of devices and network equipment
• Promoted awareness & adoption of CDG to create CDMA market

CDMA-GSM: underlying technology of mobile phones

Comparable standards body: Bluetooth.org

Underdogs Unite!

Mission: Growing the marketplace for trustable technology choices

Technology Stakeholders: technology consumers and technology suppliers

Bring consumer voice into the stakeholder conversation

Value to technology consumers: Education, mitigation, reduced harm, hallmarks: safe, fair, trustable, respectful

Value to technology suppliers: support develop, integrate, market, and brand/certify

There are choice; suppliers can opt-out

Allow for competition: raise all boats

Success of eco system depends on thriving competition

Things that need to be done

• Usability principles [Research]
  • Define what the ethical business models are
  • Code of practice
• Me2B certification
  • Me2B interoperability specification
    • Digital Dignity Lab (vital)
• Consumer outreach
  • Regulatory support (vital)
  • Me2B user panel
• Marketplace of certified devices, platforms, apps
• TLC-IP
• Unified vocabulary
• Realization: Multiplicity/proliferation of words for the same thing

Commentary (paraphrased):

• there are a lot of ideas
• feels a lot like the BBB, Trusty mark, Angie’s List
• Providers can be forced to do things once they sign
• Missing community and identity (cultural) 
  • Could belong in code of practice or user panel
  • suggestion: this be more prominent
• The time is right for this
  • “Anything to put a string through pearl, rock, and gem”
  • Similar to efforts in Linux Foundation
  • Realization that the everyone has to work together
  • There is the beginnings of an incentive right now
• There’s a heightened awareness of ethics
• Emphasis: This is intended to be an alliance, not a consortium
• Wants to be an enabler/supporter of standards; this is as “stickish” as this wants to get; this is intended to be more carrot (encouraging)
• Don’t be disheartened if there isn’t an immediate response; this may be an advanced idea that is ahead of its time.

Progress to date

• 25 people on mailing list
• Organizations committee (4 individuals)
  • Lisa LeVasseur
  • Johannesburg Ernst
  • Andrew Hughes
  • Mark Lizar

Catalyzers

• Academia
• Policy/Regulatory
• Legal
• Standards
• Other NPOs
• Diverse disciplines: sociology, philosophy, design, legal, technology development

Founder: Arlene Harris, Wrethinking, The Foundation, Family LIfe Management Solutions

2019 Me2B Certificate v1

• Code of practice
• Education
• Organization Structure
• First 20 services certified

2020 growth & Me2B alliance stand-up

• reporting & auditing
• Marketing

2021 Data portability...

2022 international standards

[me2b.us ]

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• sign-up for Alliance Mailing List
• Join a working group
  • Code of practice
  • Consumer
  • vendor

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