The challenge of OwnData service features: A step towards an informed choice of an OwnData service

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to raise awareness to the fact that the choice of data storage system is an increasingly significant one to make and to propose a number of dimensions to categorize such systems in a simple yet meaningful way. Many data subjects already use some kind of data service to store their messages, pictures, music, videos, etc. and in the light of increasing data production and a growing number of databased services, this trend is expected to continue. Advancing from storing pop songs to storing personal health or geo-location data, however, requires data subjects to get themselves acquainted with the quality features of data storage providers, should they wish to make an informed decision. The introduction chapter explores the consequences of the GDPR implementation in the European Union regarding the expectations towards storage of personal data, while the subsequent chapter explains the labeling decisions in this paper. The two ensuing chapters present the quality criteria for data storage widely used in contemporary reviews and completes them with additional dimensions advocated for by the author. In a final step, a quick assessment of popular data storage providers is made, using the discussed dimensions, to demonstrate the categorical imbalance in the data storage provider community.