IPDB Foundation announces KICTAnet as a caretaker

KICTAnet has been appointed as a Caretaker of IPDB  – the Interplanetary Database. IPDB is made up of two parts: a blockchain-style database for the world computer and a not-for-profit foundation that guides it.

The IPDB foundation provides governance for the database, guiding its growth and allowing it to respond to any challenges it faces. The foundation’s members are the caretakers, and each runs a server node that stores and validates transactions. Together these nodes make up the IPDB database. IPDB offers a public platform for trust, backed by the reputation of the caretakers.

According to the IPDB Foundation Website, the new commitment will ensure the availability of accessible, efficient and affordable ICT services. A platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation, KICTANet aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the sector.

“KICTANet’s experience in Kenya provides IPDB with a unique viewpoint and insights. Their participation in IPDB presents an important first step towards complete jurisdictional diversity,” said Greg McMullen, co-founder and Executive Director of the IPDB Foundation. “We are excited to have them working with us to help ensure that the IPDB Foundation is inclusive, diverse and accessible to all.”

IPDB Foundation, caretakers are also responsible for electing the board of directors responsible for day-to-day decisions on their behalf. On the technology side, IPDB relies on the caretakers to run the nodes that store and validate transactions sent to the network.

With KICTANet’s extensive experience in pioneering digital rights and acting as a bridge between the government and citizens, the partnership between the two represents an opportunity to set new standards.

So what does it take to become an IPDB Caretaker? According to the IPDB website, IPDB assembles a group of nodes who work together to build a free, decentralized and open internet – organizations who were already looking out for the internet and have a long-standing commitment to the decentralized web.

To avoid being under the jurisdiction of a single government, IPDB ensures that no more than half of the caretakers are in one country. To avoid capture by financial interests, the majority of nodes have to be non-for-profit organizations or public benefit corporations, who have serving their mission as a priority over profit. While it doesn’t take money out of the question entirely, it helps mitigate the risk.

KICTAnet now joins the likes of Coalition of Automated Legal Applications (COALA), Internet Archive, Human Data Commons Foundation, dyne.org among others to serve as founding caretakers for IPDB.