In the context of the research and experts discussion group Personal Data vs. Economy (September 2011), experts from the internet community, economy, and research have discussed the use of personal data, taking into account the three key stakeholders of the personal data ecosystem: individuals, private sector, and the public sector.

Challenges and Needs
As the most important challenges and needs of the actors in the personal data ecosystem the following points were identified by the participants: The usage of personal data by young people, already socialized in the internet age (individuals), significantly differs from the older generation. Neverless, the media user attitude is also different: If a lot of users are convinced of an internet service, they will also lose their data security concerns. The contrary reaction of users leads to a form of selfcensorship guided by a user-selected code of conduct and to a conscious data economy. At this point, the Public Sector is also called for. By education in the area of media competence a specific empowerment of users for a responsible usage of personal data in the internet can be accomplished. Moreover, one may ask if there could be a central intermediary which administrates the personal data of the users. The use of Big Data will be a central challenge in the future. Presently, a multitude of observed and voluntarily shared personal data is accumulated in the area of information and communication technologies (private sector). Different scenarios are possible, ranging from the release of the gathered data to the usage of statistical knowledge monopolies without personal assignment, and the fear of the future combination of personal on and offline data. At present, very effective, self-regulative mechanisms often fail. The missing international legal base in the Internet (public sector) will remain a central task on the way to a personal data ecosystem.