Stories by Charles Foucault-Dumas

HestiaLabs' Head of Communications

René Mahieudoctoral researcher at the Research Group on Law Science, Technology and Society of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Data protection expert comments on Uber trial verdict

“A driver’s interest in knowing why he or she was fired is more important than Uber’s interest in protecting its secrecy.”

Infographics by Charles Foucault-Dumas and Clara Janossy

5 key actors for impactful data collectives

HestiaLabs supports meaningful projects based on personal data in creating the data collectives and the community of people willing to share their data to help them achieve their goals (the data sharers).

Data sharers are obviously at the heart of these ecosystems, without them there would be no project. In orbit around them, five key players must work together to give these projects the desired individual, collective and social impact.

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

HestiaLabs takes off

The foundation stone for a new digital world where users take back control of their data is being laid today.

Robin Born, Project Leader People & digitalisation for Migros Pioneer Fund / Photo credit: Migros Pioneer Fund

“People will just use HestiaLabs and invent”, says the project leader for the Migros Pioneer Fund

“A lot of projects need the skills that HestiaLabs has.” When asked what made him invite HestiaLabs to be part of the “courageous projects” supported by the Migros Pioneer Fund, Robin Born insists on the competences that carry the initiative.

Convinced that new technical achievements must be used for the benefit of society, the head of the People & digitalization programme of the development fund counts on Hestialabs to bring out data-based innovations. He also sees in HestiaLabs the possibility of a healthier and more competitive digital world.

Paul-Olivier Dehaye, HestiaLabs'founder, at a data governance conference organized by the University of Geneva. Photo: Alain Herzog.

“HestiaLabs puts our skills at the service of virtuous data entrepreneurs”, explains Paul-Olivier Dehaye

In 2017, mathematician Paul-Olivier Dehaye rattled Facebook by revealing how the company Cambridge Analytica had soaked up the personal data of millions of users of the social network in order to influence their votes in the US presidential election.

Now based in Geneva, this graduate of the prestigious Stanford University has launched HestiaLabs. His objective: that everyone can choose, with full knowledge of the facts, by whom their data is used and for what purpose. His method: to put his skills and those of his team at the service of virtuous projects in order to bring out alternatives that respect personal data. Here are some explanations.

Photo by Mel Poole

Why the world needs data collectives

HestiaLabs wants to change the world with “data collectives” so that you can (finally!) choose who you share your data with, and for what purpose. Be a part of this movement towards a new digital paradigm.

Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash

Personal data and public space: don't trip on the curb!

Pavements are a key issue in the digitalisation of the world. We need to seize it collectively. Else, others will do it without our knowledge and at the expense of our privacy.

Jessica Pidoux/Photo: Le Temps

“HestiaLabs is a technical and legal support for our collective”, explains Jessica Pidoux

Researcher Jessica Pidoux created the Dating Privacy data collective to understand and improve the management of users' personal data by dating applications. In a long interview published on the project's blog, she details the project's objectives and explains why HestiaLabs is the right partner to achieve them. Excerpt.

Photo by Jeremy Zero

Why we should all request our personal data

Requests for personal data are the first step in building a new digital world, more respectful of your privacy. That is why HestiaLabs encourages and empowers you to make more of them.

Linda Bendali, journalist for Cash Investigation / Photo credit: France.tv

Linda Bendali:“The more we exercise the right of access to our personal data, the easier it will be to exercise it”

Member of Elise Lucet's team for the famous France 2 programme “Cash investigation”, Linda Bendali created a stir in France and beyond with her investigation entitled “Our personal data is worth gold!”. For this report, the journalist approached the founder of HestiaLabs to ask 40 companies for the data they had on her. One month after the first broadcast (20 May 2021), she looks back on the shockwaves caused by her work and invites everyone to continue it by asking, as she did, for access to their data.

The Eyeballs, the collective that reveals the hidden side of the web

HestiaLabs took advantage of this summer to join a second project: The Eyeballs. A new collective to explore the means used by platforms to get our attention and engagement. And influence us.

Data collectives, a model for personal data governance

Our "social networks" and "dating applications" workshops are very attractive worlds