SOMI app gives you control over your data

Foundation for Market Information Research (SOMI) has launched the SOMI app. With the app, consumers can request their personal data from any organization that keeps records of them. Subsequently, the app can be instructed to have data removed or assessed for violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Via the latter option, SOMI can decide to initiate collective action on behalf of users against companies that violate the GDPR. Currently there are already actions against TikTok and ZOOM.

This article was published on 13 November 2020 on the Nederlands Juristenblad magazine. Please find the English translation below.

The GDPR requires companies to provide an overview of personal data to every consumer who requests his or her data. This includes all data that an organization collects from a person, including about locations, personality, preferences and behavior. Companies must also enable consumers to have their personal data erased where possible. In practice it appears to be a complicated process for consumers and above all to take a lot of time. Moreover, each company uses its own procedures. With the SOMI app, SOMI simplifies the procedure for consumers by placing control over personal data in one app.

Users of the SOMI app authorize SOMI to request personal data from any organization of their choice. SOMI knows where and how to write to these data processors and can also take the necessary steps when an organization does not comply with its legal obligations. With the app, SOMI focuses on the big tech companies as the first priority, but it can write to any organization. As soon as the personal data has been received, the data is stored encrypted, so that it is only visible to the user via the app upon receipt. The user can then choose to have the data stored for his own use, to have it deleted or to have it analyzed by SOMI for GDPR violations.

Class action

The Foundation for Market Information Research has set its goal of improving the online security and digital sovereignty of individuals. The foundation investigates possible violations on behalf of participants and initiates legal action when they are found.
SOMI represents its users, therefore it must ask for part of the ID and a signature in the app, also to ensure that it is acting on behalf of the entitled person.

SOMI is currently investigating possible violations of the TikTok app and conference software ZOOM, which are popular among young people. Consumers can participate in both campaigns with the app. The app, entitled "SOMI: Compliance and Violation of the GDPR" is available for download from the App Store and Play Store and is free for the first 10,000 users upon launch. Later this year, the app will also be offered in other European languages.

Over Stichting Onderzoek Marktinformatie

Foundation for Market Information Research (SOMI) is a non-profit organization set up to identify and influence issues of social importance. SOMI focuses on the functioning of markets in the field of privacy, the elderly, housing and care.