Regulation of digital device usage (e.g., Federal Data Protection Act revFADP, or the European General Data Protection Regulation GDPR) is currently discussed primarily regarding limiting third-party access to private information. Less attention is paid to the fact that new regulations also assure us, as citizens, individual control and access to our own digital data. One reason for this is the absence of cross-platform possibilities to view and reflect on this data. Although we can individually request platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and others to provide us our data, there is no comprehensive infrastructure for fully accessing our data. This is where D2USP comes in.
D2USP was founded with the aim of creating a space for ethically responsible basic research on our interaction with digital devices.
Personal digital data holds substantial potential because it provides valuable insights into our actual behavior. This is relevant on the one hand for self-management, digital hygiene, and self-reflection, and on the other hand for scientific research. Unfortunately, our knowledge about actual device usage remains limited. To close this gap, the D2AM Lab (Digital Device Activity Monitoring) offers users the opportunity to automatically record (passive tracking) and analyze their digital activities. A particular focus is on understanding time allocation and usage patterns.
Our goal is to provide participants in scientific studies with an overview of their actual digital device use. Furthermore, the D2USP Lab provides an infrastructure for anonymized data donations, supporting long-term research studies. To ensure confidentiality and informed consent, the lab maintains a secure data environment compliant with GDPR regulations, enabling secure data collection, storage, and analysis. Thus, we promote individual sovereignty in an increasingly digital world.