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Category: News

Help us tell the story of how to reclaim digital independence

Posted on by Ed

Together with a growing network of partners and our community, Your Data Network is preparing a feature documentary that shows how to reclaim digital independence. We spotlight the founders and builders behind fantastic, real-world, privacy-first alternatives that people and organizations can use today to take back control of their data and digital lives. A crowdfunding campaign will launch soon on Kickstarter. Join the launch list now to be notified the moment it goes live.

Why

Over the past years, a few Big Tech platforms have become the rails of daily life. They can see what you read, watch and listen to and link it to your identity. You don’t see what’s collected or how it’s shared. Access can be removed, accounts locked, payments blocked. Policy shifts can reshape your choices overnight, and central points of failure can take entire organizations offline.

At the same time, concern about digital sovereignty is rising amid geopolitical shifts. In a separate track, new legislation around digital identity and programmable money is advancing, raising valid questions about profiling, gated access, and the ability to freeze transactions. That’s why this film points to something practical: you can regain digital independence today. Over recent years, robust open-source, privacy-first alternatives have matured with familiar ease-of-use, they’re just not widely known yet.

What the film will cover

  • Founders and builders who created these technologies because the status quo no longer worked
  • Real-world use by people and organizations already running on this stack
  • Clear explanations of how it works without jargon
  • Why this can scale so it does not remain a niche

Who is involved

The documentary is initiated by YourData Network with Leadervids attached as production partner. We are in conversation with multiple organizations including Volla and ThreeFold to feature their stories in the film. Soon, more names of other organizations will be announced.

Timeline

  • Pre-launch: now through 30 November 2025 — collect interest and notify on launch
  • Crowdfunding: 1–20 December 2025 — back the project and choose rewards
    Updates will be published on Kickstarter and via email.

Accessibility

The film will launch with EN / NL / DE plus full captions. If we reach the funding goal we intend to add more languages.

Kickstarter: more than a donation

Kickstarter is a platform where you back a project with a pledge. If we reach our goal your card is charged at the end of the campaign and you receive the reward you chose. If we do not reach the goal you are not charged.

Example rewards you can pick

  • Early streaming access to The Digital Age and Reclaiming Digital Independence
  • Online premiere ticket with live Q&A plus replay
  • HD downloads of both films, DRM-free
  • Interviews Vault access with long-form conversation
  • Your name in the end credits
  • In-person premiere ticket in the Netherlands (date TBA)
  • Community screening license for non-profits (up to 200 attendees)
  • Company credit options: name in end titles, shared logo card, or solo logo card

Go to Kickstarter to stay updated

Visit our Kickstarter pre-launch page:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yourdata/reclaiming-digital-independence

Click “Notify me on launch” on Kickstarter to boost day-one momentum

Subcribe for email updates

Or you can sign up here for email updates and receive campaign news, screening dates, and rewards

Press & partners: For sponsor packs or media inquiries contact YourData Network via hello@yourdata.network or the form on our site.

“People are rightly concerned about where things are heading — always-on tracking, AI-driven profiling, recurring data breaches, and lock-in to a few platforms — yet most haven’t seen the alternatives. With this documentary we simply show what already works today: open-source, privacy-first technology you can use in daily life, whether you’re an individual or a company. By supporting and sharing this project, you help more people discover these options and give the movement a powerful boost.”
Robert-Jan Lamers, founder, YourData Network

YourData Network on Dutch National Television: The internet of the future, now on screen

Posted on by Swasti Ramadhin

Last weekend, YourData Network featured in the national Dutch TV programme Bouwen aan de Toekomst (Building the Future) on SBS6. In this segment, founder Robert Jan Lamers explains why the centralised internet no longer works and how a decentralised alternative offers a practical, future-proof solution.

You can now watch the full segment below.

What you’ll discover

• How your personal data became a business model and why that’s a problem
• Why digital ownership is essential for privacy, resilience and sustainability
• How the decentralised internet works: a global network of thousands of user-owned nodes
• Why decentralisation reduces energy consumption and increases autonomy
• Who this is for: not just tech experts, but also businesses, schools, governments and everyday users

Why it matters

In just a few minutes, this broadcast gives a clear and hopeful answer to the question: what could the internet look like if it truly served people again?

Because digital freedom starts with ownership and that future is already here.

Watch the broadcast below and get inspired.

About the programme

Bouwen aan de Toekomst focuses on creating a better world for future generations. The show explores innovative projects and inspiring stories that contribute to a sustainable and future-proof society.

Themes include sustainable construction, digitalisation, long-term employability, workforce challenges and education innovation. The aim is to inform and inspire viewers — both consumers and businesses — to play an active role in shaping a better future.

The three most important developments at ThreeFold in September 2025

Posted on by Ed

Every month, ThreeFold shares key developments within their decentralized ecosystem. In this article, we summarize the September update for you. Why? Because these developments matter to anyone who values privacy, ownership, and a fairer digital infrastructure. We explain it clearly, without technical jargon, so you know exactly what’s happening and why it matters to you.

1. The technology behind the network keeps getting stronger

ThreeFold has been building a fairer internet for years. In September, important steps were taken to make the network’s backend even more reliable and scalable:

ThreeFold’s Kubernetes-based platform, “KubeCloud,” was further developed. This technology ensures that digital services continue running smoothly even during high traffic or if one or more nodes fail or go offline temporarily. It provides stability and continuity for applications running on the decentralized internet, all without users noticing a thing.

The “Mycelium Network,” which enables secure communication between nodes, received new features for enhanced security and key management. This means data can be exchanged more safely between participants.

The data protection system was also upgraded: “Quantum Safe Storage” was designed to withstand the computational power of future quantum computers. Your data remains protected—now and in the future.

What this means for you:
You don’t need to be a tech expert to benefit from these improvements. These updates make it possible to use or run services on a network that is stable, secure, and future-proof—without relying on Big Tech.

2. Serious market interest is emerging

There’s growing evidence that the market is ready for an alternative internet:
More than five major organizations have expressed interest in purchasing capacity from the ThreeFold network, companies looking to replace their current cloud infrastructure with this more transparent and sustainable alternative.

A successful funding round was completed in Dubai, allowing the network to scale further.
Meanwhile, the team is working on new partnerships and larger investments to roll out the network globally.

What this means for you:
ThreeFold is no longer a fringe project. There is real interest from businesses and investors. That means: more availability, more support, and more assurance that the network will remain relevant. If you get involved now, you’ll be part of a growing movement from the ground up.

3. New rewards: from automatic issuance to real value

Until now, ThreeFold’s digital token (TFT) was minted automatically, new tokens were regularly created and distributed to node owners (also called farmers) who contributed computing power. But starting November 2025, that changes:

The automatic issuance (minting) of tokens will stop. Instead, participants will be rewarded based on actual usage, meaning, if your node is actively delivering services, you’ll receive fair compensation for it.
A reservation system will also be introduced, allowing users to pre-book capacity. This gives node operators more income predictability.

What this means for you:
If you’re considering joining as a node owner, or already own a node (v3), you’ll still earn rewards for your contribution to the decentralized internet. The nature of the reward will change, shifting from capacity-based to usage-based. The goal is for rewards to remain at least as high as before, potentially even higher.
More details will be shared soon. Of course, we’ll keep you updated.

In summary

In September 2025, ThreeFold made more tangible progress toward building a fairer internet. The technical foundation has been strengthened with upgrades to KubeCloud, Mycelium Network, and quantum-safe storage. At the same time, market interest is rising, with multiple major players lined up to adopt the network, and a successful funding round in Dubai signaling growing confidence. The reward system for node owners is also evolving; participants will now be compensated based on real-world usage instead of automatic token issuance.

ThreeFold is moving from promise to practice, delivering concrete value for users and contributors alike.
👉 Read the full update in the ThreeFold newsroom

Next-generation nodes: more powerful, AI-ready, and a fresh new look

Posted on by Ed

Demand for nodes continues to rise and that’s good news. More and more people are actively contributing to a free, decentralized internet. We can feel that momentum: the previous series of nodes is now almost completely sold out.

At the same time, we’ve continued to improve. The casing (in other words: the box that houses all the hardware) of the previous generation is no longer available. That gave us the opportunity to upgrade several key hardware components, especially to better handle the growing demand for AI.

The result? A brand-new generation of nodes that are more powerful than ever, wrapped in a refined new design. In this update, we’ll explain exactly what has changed  and what it means for you.

Which models have been upgraded?

Ikon Max, Nova Go and Nova Plus: more storage, faster processor

Until now, these three models all shared the same casing. That has now been replaced with a new version – just as compact, but with improved heat dissipation. The internal configuration has also been updated: including a redesigned storage setup aimed at higher performance and long-term reliability.

The new models now offer between 2 TB (Ikon Max15 2TB, Nova Go15 and Nova Plus15) and 4 TB (Ikon Max15 4TB) of storage. Previously, 2 TB was the maximum available.

In addition, all three are now equipped with the Intel Core 5 210H processor, a fast, energy-efficient chip that delivers smoother processing, more stable performance, and better support for demanding applications like AI or distributed cloud environments.

node threefold internet

Nova Pro: faster, smarter, and built for AI

The Nova Pro15 has received a full upgrade, both inside and out. It now features the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor, a high-end chip built specifically for AI and high-performance computing. The result: more processing power, faster multitasking, and optimal energy efficiency all packed into a single advanced processor.

On the storage side, the Nova Pro uses NVMe storage via PCIe 5.0 (NVMe5). If you’re not familiar with the term: this technology allows data to move at extreme speeds, without bottlenecks. It supports data transfer rates of up to 14,800 MB per second. That makes this node perfect for AI applications, heavy workloads, and real-time data analysis.

We tested this ourselves by installing a custom AI assistant on the node and the results were impressive. The speed, stability, and responsiveness showed clearly: this node is already ready for the future.

Whether you’re working with AI, developing software, or simply want full control in a decentralized network: the Nova Pro delivers. Quiet, powerful, and always ready.

All four models are designed to meet the growing demand for reliable decentralized storage, computing power, and communication.

3node threefold

What does this mean for you?

If you’re ready to help build the decentralized internet, it’s important to choose the node that best fits your needs.

The new generation of nodes offers:

  • More ways to contribute and benefit from the network
  • Direct access to powerful, future-ready technology
  • A simple way to become an active part of the internet of the future

Depending on your goals, you can go in two directions:

Ikon Max – for contribution and personal use

These nodes allow you to contribute capacity to the decentralized network while also using it yourself – partly or fully. Ideal for hosting your own Nextcloud environment, storing data securely, or running your own applications. With the Ikon Max, you’re in full control from day one.

Nova series – for capacity contribution only, with higher guaranteed rewards

The Nova Go, Nova Plus and Nova Pro nodes are fully allocated to ThreeFold for the first 18 months. During that period, they cannot be used for personal applications. But that’s exactly what makes them so attractive: because the capacity is actively used right away, you receive a higher and fixed monthly reward – helping you earn back your investment faster and generate more passive income. After 18 months, the node becomes fully available for your own use.

The Nova Pro offers maximum performance and speed, especially suited for AI and demanding digital tasks.

Important: limited availability

At the moment, the new nodes are not available from stock. Why? The outer casing of this new generation – the part that houses all the advanced tech – is currently hard to source. We depend on our suppliers and can only place an order when they confirm availability.

Once we get the go-ahead, we’ll order immediately. But to be completely transparent: we don’t yet know how many units we’ll be able to get. That’s why priority will go to those who have already placed an order.

Don’t want to miss out or wait longer than necessary? Then order now.
That way, you increase your chances of getting your own node delivered soon and start contributing to the internet of the future: free, independent, and built by all of us.

👉 View the new nodes and place your order

New webinar series: Learn how to get control over your data with Nextcloud

Posted on by Ed

Every time you upload a file to Google Drive, share a folder via Dropbox, or collaborate in Microsoft Teams you give something away. Not just convenience. But ownership. Autonomy. Privacy.

Big Tech companies don’t just store your data. They use it, scan it, monetize it, and lock you into systems you can’t see into or control.

And let’s be honest: we’ve let it happen.
Because the alternatives seemed too technical. Too complex. Too far away.

But that’s changing.

Introducing a new webinar by YourData Network

Nextcloud: How your own decentralized cloud environment works

For the first time, we’re hosting a dedicated webinar on one of the most practical and empowering tools to regain control over your digital life: Nextcloud, an open-source cloud platform you can run independently, whether on your own server or – even better- on ThreeFold’s decentralized internet.

Why? Because we keep hearing the same questions:

“How do I actually use the decentralized internet?”
“Where can I store my data safely?”
“What can I do with Nextcloud?”

“Is there a way to work and share without Big Tech watching?”

Yes. There is.
And this webinar is going to show you exactly how.

What you’ll discover

✅ What Nextcloud is and how it runs on the Decentralized Internet
✅ How you can host your own cloud or choose from thousands of trusted nodes
✅ How you stay in full control: no tracking, no scanning, no hidden monetization
✅ How Nextcloud lets you store, sync, share and collaborate just like Google or Microsoft, but without giving anything away
✅ Why this is about more than tech, it’s about digital self-determination

Who it’s for

People who are done with surveillance capitalism

Teams or small businesses looking for open-source, secure collaboration tools

Anyone searching for real alternatives — not just promises

When & how

Online, live, with demos and real-world examples

📅 Dutch session: Thursday 9 October – Sign up here
📅 English session: Thursday 20 November – Sign-up here

⏱ Duration: ~75 minutes

This is about freedom, not features

Nextcloud on the decentralized internet isn’t just a tool. It’s a gateway. To sovereignty. To responsibility. To building something outside of systems that were never built for your benefit.

Join us and see how decentralization can move from ideal to action.
Sign up now

Seminar: High Tech Campus Eindhoven

Posted on by Ed

Digital autonomy through the decentralized internet

How your organization can regain control over data, AI, and infrastructure. Independent from hyperscalers.

Companies in Europe face a crucial choice: continue outsourcing data and AI capacity to American cloud providers, or reclaim true ownership of their data and digital infrastructure.

At this event, you’ll experience what that alternative looks like in practice: ThreeFold’s decentralized internet. A revolutionary technology that fundamentally reimagines how data is stored, accessed and owned, away from central control toward a more open, resilient and sovereign digital future.

And it’s already working today. With live demos and real-world use cases, you’ll see how this shift is not just possible but actionable, offering your organization a powerful opportunity to regain control, ensure data sovereignty and build on infrastructure that truly belongs to you.

Practical details

  • Location: AI Innovation Center, High Tech Campus Eindhoven
  • Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
  • Time: 16:00 – 17:30 (doors open at 15:30)
  • Followed by: Networking drinks until 19:00
  • Admission: Free (registration required)

What to expect

During this session, you will get:

  • A clear explanation of the decentralized internet and how it works
  • Practical insights into overcoming vendor lock-in and data security risks
  • Inspiring use cases such as Kubernetes, Nextcloud, and AI workloads
  • A live demo of a working solution (hardware & software)
  • Time for Q&A and networking with peers at the High Tech Campus

Why this matters for you and your organization

The challenges facing European companies that generate and rely heavily on data are urgent and increasingly complex, especially for those at the forefront of innovation, like the organizations based at the High Tech Campus.

For CTOs & Tech Leads
You know how dependent you’ve become on hyperscalers. Vendor lock-in limits your choices, and compliance with European regulations is a constant concern.

For Founders & Business Owners
You wonder if your IP and business-critical data are truly safe. The fear of sensitive data falling into the wrong hands is real. Meanwhile, cloud costs keep rising often without predictable control.

In this session, you’ll discover how the decentralized internet provides a working alternative today:

  • Secure, compliant, and fully under your ownership
  • Free from vendor lock-in and hidden costs
  • With the compute power and flexibility that AI and innovation demand

About YourData Network

YourData Network empowers organizations and individuals to take true ownership of their data. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to use and help build the decentralized internet.

We offer tools and guidance to break free from big tech dependency and create a future where digital infrastructure is open, secure, and owned by the people it serves.

YourData Network was founded by entrepreneur Robert Jan Lamers, driven by a clear vision for digital autonomy and a strong belief in decentralization as a force for good. As an early advocate of the ThreeFold network, he is committed to making the decentralized internet accessible and actionable, starting here and now.

Register now

Register for free

Seats are limited, so make sure to secure your spot on time.

After registering, you’ll immediately receive a confirmation and all practical details by email.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Questions? Feel free to email us at hello@yourdata.network. We’ll be happy to help.

Discover the internet built for people, not corporations. Free English webinar

Posted on by Ed

A new kind of internet is gaining ground. One that puts users, not tech giants, back in control.

On Thursday, September 18, YourData Network invites you to a free, live webinar:
“Introduction to the Decentralized Internet.”

This session will be hosted in English by Robert Jan Lamers, founder of YourData Network and outspoken advocate for a privacy-first, user-owned internet. With clarity and vision, Robert Jan will guide you through one of the most important shifts in digital history.

🗓️ Thursday, September 18, 2025 – 20:00 CET
🎤 In English | Hosted by Robert Jan Lamers, Founder of Your Data Network

What you’ll learn

  • What the decentralized internet really is and why it changes everything
  • How it empowers your autonomy, privacy, and digital rights
  • Why it’s also better for the environment and energy use
  • How it works, without the tech jargon
  • How to start using it today
  • How to contribute to this growing movement

You’ll hear real-world examples, get actionable insights, and have the chance to ask your own questions live.

Why this matters

The internet wasn’t meant to be owned by a handful of corporations. But that’s exactly where we’ve ended up. From invasive ads to mass surveillance, our digital lives are increasingly shaped by centralized systems that serve profit over people.

It’s time for something better.
A web where you own your data.
Where you choose who sees what.
Where trust is built into the network, not outsourced to Big Tech.

This webinar is your first step.

Who it’s for

  • Anyone concerned about privacy, censorship or online control
  • Professionals looking for future-proof digital alternatives
  • Curious minds who want to understand what’s next for the internet

Sign up now, it’s free
Want to learn how to take control of your data and use new internet technology on your terms? Join our 75-minute online webinar where we explain everything in a clear, practical way.

Sign-up

Recap: Volla Community Days 2025

Posted on by Neha Agrawal

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of attending the Volla Community Days in Germany – a two-day event full of inspiration, innovation and shared values around digital autonomy, privacy and sustainability. We’re looking back on a gathering that brought together an impressive lineup of speakers and tech pioneers.

A movement in full bloom
Developers, companies, and communities from across the globe came together to share their contributions to a more ethical internet. Dr. Jörg Wurzer from Volla presented the latest developments in their hardware, operating system, and cloud solutions. Nicholas Quinn (Beechat) demonstrated a resilient mesh network for communication, and Ricardo Mendoza & Paul Hartola of the UBports Foundation spoke about the future of Ubuntu Touch.

Decentralization in action
Saturday afternoon featured contributions from Eric Harris-Braun (Holochain Foundation), Jaydon Ong (Holo Host), and Weynand Kuijpers (Threefold), highlighting how peer-to-peer technologies, decentralized storage and open infrastructure are coming together in practical applications. Other projects included a new integrated development environment by darksoil studio and operating system porting efforts from Eclipse Foundation and Oniro.

OwnPhone: the smartphone that puts your data back in your hands
During the event, we had the opportunity to present our OwnPhone: a smartphone designed around radical privacy and true ownership. It runs on a Google-free, open-source operating system, offers seamless integration with a personal cloud and operates entirely outside the Big Tech ecosystem.
Curious? Visit the OwnPhone website for full details and specs.

Watch the presentations
Many of the talks and demos from the event have been made available by Volla. You can find them on the official Volla downloads and recordings page.

We’re proud to have been part of this growing community and look forward to all the collaborations and next steps that will follow.

Volla and YourData Network join forces at Volla Community Days 2025

Posted on by Neha Agrawal

International platform for digital autonomy highlights collaboration around privacy-friendly smartphone

During the Volla Community Days 2025, Volla and YourData Network will present their collaboration to an international audience of developers, entrepreneurs, and privacy advocates. On Saturday, June 14, Robert Jan Lamers, CEO of YourData Network, will deliver a keynote about the OwnPhone: the first smartphone specifically designed for use with the decentralized internet. The presentation is part of a two-day program in which Volla showcases the latest developments in hardware, operating systems, and the Volla Cloud.

The Volla Community Days, taking place on June 14 and 15 in Remscheid (Germany) and available worldwide via livestream, bring together a unique lineup of pioneers in privacy-friendly technology. Alongside Volla and YourData Network, organizations such as Holochain, Threefold, UBports, and Beechat will present their latest innovations in distributed cloud, alternative operating systems, and mesh networks.

Building digital autonomy together

The collaboration between Volla and YourData Network unites multiple layers of digital autonomy in one user-friendly ecosystem. Volla develops privacy-focused hardware and software, including the Volla OS, the Volla Cloud, and a range of mobile devices. YourData Network builds on this foundation with applications for the decentralized internet, including secure data storage via Threefold and forward-looking apps that operate without centralized infrastructure.

“With the OwnPhone, we make the promise of digital autonomy usable for everyone,” says Robert Jan Lamers, CEO of YourData Network. “Thanks to our partnership with Volla, we can offer a device that truly stands as an alternative to Big Tech, without compromising on ease of use.”

For Volla, the collaboration is also a logical step. “We believe in an open ecosystem where partners amplify each other’s strengths,” says Dr. Jörg Wurzer, founder and director of Volla. “Our partnership with YourData Network shows how our platform can be used as a foundation for distributed applications that give users back their freedom and control.”

About Volla Community Days

The Volla Community Days are an annual event where the Volla community, open source developers, and partners from the privacy tech space come together to share ideas and demonstrate technology. The 2025 edition promises to be one of the most forward-looking yet, with presentations on Ubuntu Touch, Oniro, Volla OS, the Volla Cloud, and new hardware such as the Volla Tablet. Robert Jan Lamers’ keynote will take place on Saturday, June 14 at 3:50 PM.

More info

Location: Kölner Straße 102, 42897 Remscheid, Germany.

More info and agenda:

The OwnPhone Has Launched: A New Standard for Private, Account-Free Mobile Technology

Posted on by Neha Agrawal

On Thursday May 29 we officially launched the OwnPhone: a smartphone designed for people who want full control over their data without compromising usability or privacy.

If you’ve ever wished for a phone that doesn’t track your every move, doesn’t require an account to function and doesn’t distract you with endless notifications, the OwnPhone might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

Built in partnership with Volla (developers of the hardware and software) and Threefold (the pioneers behind the decentralized internet) the OwnPhone introduces a radically different approach to mobile technology.

During the live launch event we shared what makes this device so unique:
• it frees you from Google, Apple and any other data-collecting ecosystems
• it allows you to store and manage your data through decentralized infrastructure
• it minimizes digital distractions and puts you back in control of your attention

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—a clear signal that many are ready for a new way of thinking about smartphones.

Watch the full launch event recording below to see how OwnPhone works, hear from the people who built it and discover why this is more than just a phone. It’s a movement toward digital ownership.

The video is in English, as the launch was hosted for an international audience.

For more details or to order your OwnPhone, look here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at hello@yourdata.network.