Payem
Payem is an ethical data platform concept that empowers users to manage, control, and actively sell their personal data to companies.
Unlike traditional models where data is collected invisibly, Payem introduces full transparency: through a combination of browser plug-in, wearables, app, and dashboard, users retain complete oversight and control over who accesses their data, when, and for what purpose — and receive financial compensation in return. The system operates as a fair-data marketplace with user-controlled licensing and time-limited data access. Its aim is to create a more equitable data economy where digital self-determination becomes the norm, not the exception. Users can exclude specific companies, set granular privacy preferences, and monitor data value in real time. The platform encourages participation through gamified incentives and a digital wallet system. A certified "Fair Data" badge helps partner companies communicate transparency and ethical standards.
A modular UI system was developed with a strong focus on intuitive user guidance, adapting dynamically to data permissions, device integrations, and individual preferences.
The screens showcase typical user flows such as granting data access, managing the personal wallet, and viewing the value and recipients of shared data. Micro-interactions, contextual prompts, and gamified elements were integrated to make the handling of sensitive information both comprehensible and engaging. The goal was to translate both the functional processes and the underlying ethical principles into a compelling visual and interactive experience — making the vision of fair data exchange tangible.
The conceptual development of Payem was grounded in a multi-layered, interdisciplinary research process.
The starting point was a critical examination of the current state of data usage: Which technologies drive Big Data? Who are the dominant actors in the market? And how are personal data currently collected, analyzed, and monetized? This was complemented by an exploration of broader societal, political, and economic discourses — including legal frameworks such as the GDPR, the mechanisms of data-driven business models, and theoretical perspectives on surveillance, control, and digital autonomy. Building on this theoretical foundation, an in-depth market and target group analysis was conducted, using tools such as the Sinus Milieus to identify real-world user needs and contexts. This research formed the backbone for designing a privacy-conscious, user-centered ecosystem.