Governance and Operations

What the HCF does 

HCF’s principal roles are to lead and oversee multi-stakeholder governance of the HAT Microserver network and act as its non-statutory regulator.

HCF’s regulatory role comprises policymaking, monitoring and enforcement. To do this HCF is supported by an independent Ethics and Governance Board together with standards organisations and independent third-party auditor(s).

HCF as policymaker: The “policy” for data stewardship across the ecosystem is expressed as the HAT Code of Practice still largely in its original form. This established five governing principles and ten information policies for the future HAT Microserver network remain relevant today and provide the framework within which Dataswyft is exercising delegated governance of ecosystem operation. As the network develops, HCF will engage stakeholders, specialists and academics to continue the development of the Code of Practice with the aim of maintaining the network as a trusted platform for self-sovereign data usage and distributed AI. 

HCF as monitor: HCF monitors the network operations to provide stakeholders with independent assurance that it is working in the way intended by the Code of Practice and Dataswift’s operational governance; essentially overseeing Dataswyft’s management of the network. This, together with enforcement, represents HCF’s main regulatory role albeit reliant on maintaining a credible and reasonable best practice articulated in the Code of Practice.

This role as Monitor working primarily on behalf of Server owners will include the need to understand Server owners’ views, potentially acting as ombudsman or arbiter. 

HCF as enforcer: HCF maintains a dialogue with Dataswyft to oversee the application of ecosystem standards to operation of the Dataswyft’s API platform and for the admission of organisations – particularly applications integrated with HAT Microservers to issue data accounts – into the HAT Microserver network. The reputation of Dataswyft API Platform as a trusted API platform is central to network growth and therefore of paramount concern to all commercial and non-commercial participants. Where there is a potential compliance problem or risk with a participant, the HCF can agree with Dataswyft on behalf of all stakeholders that the transgressor is expelled. 

Any disputes would be discussed with the Ethics and Governance Board which may advise on appointment of an independent arbiter.