#26 Untangling: Digital Ownership & Access Controls with Sean Griffin

In this episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies engage with Sean Griffin, co-founder of Object Layer, to dissect the intersection of blockchain technology and data ownership.

Sean, with a background in policy advising for the Canadian government, shares his journey towards blockchain, driven by a desire for more control over digital files. He explains how blockchain enhances individual control through peer-to-peer interactions and delves into the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens). They explore NFTs' utility beyond collectibles and gaming assets, discussing their broader potential in data or media content ownership.

The conversation shifts to focus on utility NFTs and their practical applications. These NFTs go beyond just being digital art; they can signify ownership rights or grant access to specific services. Sean gives an intriguing example of how owning a complete Nike shoe NFT collection could potentially yield unique benefits from Nike.

The discussion also touches on how different blockchain networks provide varied attributes and the possibilities of interconnecting these databases through bridging technologies. Emphasizing the utility aspect, Sean prefers referring to digital assets as "objects" rather than "tokens," citing examples where NFTs secure sensitive documents in collaborative projects, enhancing control over access and preventing unauthorized copying.

Further delving into decentralization, the episode highlights its role in facilitating direct peer-to-peer data transfer, with applications in secure communication like video chats and phone calls. Sean illustrates how blockchain can revolutionize document sharing among multiple parties, ensuring consistency and accountability, with applications ranging from trade secrets to general data security. Object Layer, likened to a safety deposit box for data, aims to provide customizable data security solutions across various domains, allowing enterprises to store their 'lockbox' either on-premises or in the cloud while maintaining secure access.

In addition, Sean discusses the broader implications of this technology in areas like health records management and online privacy, stressing the importance of secure, accessible record-keeping in the Web Three era. Despite some resistance to the NFT terminology, Sean envisions media as the first industry to widely adopt these technologies, although enterprise adoption might be slower. Media and entertainment executives show interest in the concept's potential, recognizing the need for familiarization through major endorsements. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective, envisioning an internet where assets and information of varying credibility coexist, accessible through AI-integrated, permission-based personal data stores, revolutionizing interaction and privacy controls.

Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].

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The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.