Jad Esber, CEO of koodos, was recently invited to speak to Ofcom on "The Evolution of Internet Platforms & Digital Identities." This event brought together attendees from across Ofcom's various groups, including policy makers, technology experts, and regulatory specialists.

Ofcom, the Office of Communications, is the regulatory authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications, and postal industries in the United Kingdom. As an organization, Ofcom ensures that the UK has a wide range of electronic communications services, including high-speed services such as broadband. They are tasked with ensuring competition and protecting the interests of consumers.

During the talk, Jad Esber shared insights on the future of data platforms, emphasizing a vision where individuals have direct control over their personal data and can manage access to this data for mutual benefit. He highlighted the shift to agentic systems and a future of consumer apps that empower user sovereignty over data.

Key points from his talk included the potential unintended consequences of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), such as fewer fee-free digital products and services for consumers, security vulnerabilities, and high compliance costs for startups. He also addressed the challenges of personal data stores and why widespread adoption has been slow, citing factors like weak consumer value propositions that rely to heavily on extrinsic motivators, complexity in data management, technical challenges, regulatory roadblocks, and market dynamics.

Esber's vision for the future is one where consumers have robust control and portability of their personal data, paving the way for innovative and secure digital experiences.