How it works

Technology serving people

At We Are, technology is not about systems but about people. We are building a data platform that gives citizens back control over their data. At the same time, we make that data safely, transparently and ethically available to those who truly need it: citizens, healthcare providers, companies, research institutions and governments.

With We Are, you can bring together personal data from different sources: from information about your health and lifestyle to data from the apps you use every day. Data that are now often scattered across separate systems, come together in one place. And you remain in full control.

By connecting data and making them available on your terms, they contribute to better care, effective policy, human-centered innovation and societal progress.

A secure place for your data, fully under your control

The technology behind We Are is based on Solid, a system in which personal data are decoupled from applications. Instead of storing your data with apps or organizations, they are stored in your own personal online data vault, also known as a Pod (Personal Online Datastore). 

This means your data remain in one central location. They are not scattered or copied. You retain full control and decide who has access to your data and for what purpose. Applications only gain access when you explicitly give permission. Always based on clear agreements and full transparency.

Learn more about Solid

How We Are makes a difference

  • Control and data sovereignty
    You manage your data yourself and decide who gets access.
     
  • Reusability
    You do not need to re-enter your data each time. Once you give permission, your data can be used securely in various contexts: from care and research to policy, services and innovation.
     
  • Independent data management
    Your data are independent from the applications that use them. Only with your consent can an application access them.
     
  • Privacy and transparency
    You see who is requesting access and why, before you give consent. You can withdraw that consent at any time.

Key building blocks for secure data sharing

Personal Information Management System (PIMS)

An online environment where citizens can view their data and manage their consents.

My access

•Software modules for developers

Tools that help organizations build applications where users can securely log in into their We Are Pod and store or consult data in it:

Take a look at our Github repository

Data processing module for innovation and research

This module makes it possible to share data with third parties—only with the citizen’s consent. The data can be anonymized, pseudonymized or aggregated, depending on the specific application.

Built in collaboration with Athumi

The technology behind We Are was brought to market in close collaboration with Athumi, the Flemish data utility company. Athumi provides a secure, reliable, and legally compliant infrastructure for data exchange across various sectors. Citizens’ personal data is stored in We Are Pods, made technically possible by Inrupt’s Enterprise Solid Server, within an environment managed by Athumi.

Thanks to this collaboration, We Are is built on the principles of trust, security and digital autonomy. 

Learn more about Athumi