No world can do without The Guard, and certainly not the digital world. In many respects, this world mirrors ‘real’ society, and that includes the associated dangers. Digital crime is rife: it ranges from fraudsters and identity thieves to hackers engaged in serious (corporate) espionage. In short, The Guard is the watchdog, gatekeeper and bouncer all rolled into one. It enforces privacy legislation and safeguards your personal data. It offers two-step verification and additional SMS checks. The Guard is there to make you feel safe. After all, why should you trust strangers on Marktplaats? Well, because The Guard has built-in safeguards, such as an in-app payment system and clear warnings.
Superpowers
- Makes you aware of risks you weren’t aware of yourself.
- Implements the GDPR and facilitates privacy rights.
- Knows how to reassure you at just the right moment, so that you dare to do something you haven’t done before.
Kryptonite
- The Guard does as it is told: this can lead to discrimination.
- It also offers a false sense of security: an online age check when you want to order alcohol is merely a formality.
- Its good intentions sometimes go too far: does the Cookie Act actually provide protection, or is it purely focused on enforcing the law itself?
The Guard in practice
It ensures compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It protects you with end-to-end encryption whilst you’re using apps, and you’ll get a warning pop-up if you try to share a document outside your organisation or send your phone number on Tinder. But in adverts, it urges you just as strongly to be your own Guard, with phrases such as ‘borrowing money costs money’.
Archenemy
It might well clash with The Includer: for example, The Guard automatically logs you out of your banking app after 5 to 10 minutes; not enough time for everyone to carry out a complex transaction.
Ally
The Robot is The Guard’s assistant; together they implement policy. And things are going very well with The Butler too; both look after you and make things easier for you.
Summary
Without The Guard, the digital world turns into one big dark web: abuse, violence and crime are everywhere, and without privacy legislation, everyone is fair game. Yet The Guard must also know its limits. Because the more fences and locks you build around something, the less accessible and usable your service becomes.
Would you like to find out more about the Heroes of Value in our workshop?
Request a free set of cards. In our accompanying workshop, you’ll learn how to put the Heroes into practice to improve your product or service.
Want to find out more about the Heroes of Value? Let’s get to know each other!
Nils van den Broek — Founder
Send message via LinkedIn Schedule a meeting nils@valsplat.nl
