Datentreuhänder als Schlüssel zum Datenteilen
Publication date: 25 September 2025 | Report language: DE
Data trustees as the key to data sharing – findings from accompanying scientific research
This study presents the results of three years of accompanying research on the ‘Projects for the Development and Practical Testing of Data Trust Models in Research and Industry’ funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The study was conducted by a consortium led by Technopolis in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISI, Law & Innovation and RWTH Aachen University, with the support of a project advisory board.
Data trustees are neutral intermediaries who facilitate the technical and organisational exchange of data between data providers and users. They can build trust, reduce compliance risks and thus overcome the so-called value-risk dilemma in data sharing: While the social and economic benefits of shared data are high, many stakeholders have so far been reluctant to share their data or use shared data due to concerns about loss of control, legal uncertainty or a vague value proposition.
The accompanying research systematically examined the funded pilot projects, further application examples and the state of international discussion. The focus was on four cross-cutting topics:
- Legal framework for the operation of data trustees, including classification under the European Data Governance Act
- Technical requirements such as secure data processing environments, interoperability and data security
- Business models for the viable and sustainable operation of data trustees
- Acceptance, standardisation, certification and scaling as success factors for broader implementation
The analysis shows that data trustees can make an important contribution to the development of functional data ecosystems – if they succeed in building trust, establishing clear legal frameworks, developing technical standards and creating sustainable business models.
On this basis, the study formulates recommendations for action for (potential) operators of data trusteeship models as well as for political decision-makers and the public sector, business, science and civil society. These include the targeted promotion of interoperable standards, the strengthening of legal certainty for data providers and users, and the further development of governance and business models.
The results are aimed not only at existing and future operators of data trustees, but also at all stakeholders involved in building a high-performance data economy in Germany and Europe.
Please click here to read the full report (in German).
