The rise of health apps and smartwatches is leading to a growing collection of personal data. What actually happens to this collected data and what can one do with it? Researchers from Saxion University of Applied Sciences have developed a unique festival experience to create awareness about the use of personal data. This experience lets people explore both utopian and dystopian future scenarios, where people discover the dangers and benefits of online data. The aim of these scenarios is to stimulate discussions on how to handle our online data.

Sjors Groeneveld, senior lecturer at the college, is pleased with the results of the test at Zwarte Cross, where more than 500 people participated and actively engaged in discussions about personal data developments. “Because of the diverse audience, we were able to receive a lot of feedback and gained new valuable insights.”