subjectcan

Subjectcan is a hypothetical framework in privacy engineering that centers data subjects in the lifecycle of personal data processing. The term combines “subject” (the data subject) and “can” (capacity or authorization) to describe a model in which individuals actively control, revoke, or grant permissions for the collection, use, and sharing of their personal data across organizations.

Core components of subjectcan include a subject wallet, which securely stores identity attributes and consent preferences; a tamper-evident consent ledger that records all permissions; a policy interpreter that translates user choices into machine-readable processing rules; and implementation APIs for data controllers to enforce these rules. The framework emphasizes auditable, subject-driven governance of data processing.

Subjectcan is related to, but distinct from, existing consent management platforms (CMPs) and self-sovereign identity (SSI). Unlike traditional CMPs that are often centralized, subjectcan envisions distributed governance and auditability via the ledger, with a user-centric interface that makes permissions more transparent and portable.

Use cases for subjectcan include consent for marketing, research, or analytics; data portability; and automated revocation when preferences change. In practice, subjectcan remains primarily a theoretical framework and subject of research rather than an established standard or widely implemented system.

Challenges associated with subjectcan include interoperability across jurisdictions, user experience design, performance and scalability, security of wallets, and ensuring lawful enforcement by controllers. Proponents argue that the framework aligns with data protection principles such as accountability and the enhancement of data subject rights, while critics caution about practical feasibility and integration with existing regulatory regimes.