Kork

Kork, originally founded as Databook in 2017 by Eliza and Robert Wensley, aims to disrupt the data brokerage industry. The company provides a platform that allows consumers to control their personal data and be compensated for its use. The core mission is to shift the power from data brokers, who profit from consumer information, to the individuals who generate that data.

The platform enables users to connect their data, customize a profile, and then earn a profit from businesses that subscribe to access the specific data individuals are willing to share. This model provides a direct financial benefit to consumers for their data, a departure from the current system where users receive no compensation. The company rebranded from Databook to Kork a year after its launch to have a more modern name that evokes the idea of controlling personal data. Robert Wensley has also written about the future of personal data and preventing privacy issues.

Keywords: data monetization, consumer data control, personal data economy, data privacy, data brokerage disruption, user data compensation, data ownership, consumer privacy, data marketplace, secure data sharing, personal information management, data value, online privacy, data rights