Identifi (In-Person)

In-Person Submission

Inspiration

Our project was inspired by a growing concern around the invisibility of our digital footprints — the data trails we unknowingly leave behind through everyday online interactions. Most people have little clarity on what’s being collected about them, where it’s going, or how to regain control. With emerging technologies like AI, VR, and even neural-linked systems pushing the boundaries of personal data collection into areas like emotions and biometrics, the need for transparency is more urgent than ever.

On a more personal note, one of our group members has had an experience where her instagram photos were edited and uploaded to inappropriate websites, obviously against her consent and without her knowing. She only found out weeks after it was posted, in which she had to go through the process of submitting a DCMA claim to take it down. This was a terrible experience, where all she did was exist online, leading to her personal image being used and distorted.

We were inspired to address this ever-growing problem of digital security. Current image-reverse-search tools aren't effective or intuitive in the context of data security. Other existing tools like McAfee are often too overwhelming or untrustworthy for the average user, which discourages meaningful engagement with data privacy. In response, we set out to create a new, innovative interface that empowers users to understand and manage their data — not just for today’s digital environment, but for the more complex privacy challenges of tomorrow. Grounded in privacy laws like the California Privacy Rights Act (which only came into effect very recently in 2023), our design encourages users to reclaim agency over their personal information in a way that’s accessible, proactive, and future-facing.

What it does

Identifi visualizes your personal data is a new and powerful way. It begins in onboarding where you input core parts about your identity (think name, birthday), link accounts you own (Instagram, Facebook), and do a 3d scan of your face. Identifi's interface centers on a 3d rendering of your image, which from there you are guided to the key components of your personal data online categorized through your identifier data, your image data, and your behavioral data. Identifi will then help you find out when this personal data is somewhere it shouldn't be, for example when your name (identifier data) is being referenced in some news article online, or your photo (image data) is being posted by someone else, or if your Neuralink brain patterns (behavior data) is being used to create a human-pattern profile in the Neuralink database. You can view and take action on this data through information about the data that Identifi finds, a helpful timeline Identifi provides, and options provided for moving forward (like request deletion).

How we built it

We used Figma to design and prototype. We also pulled the 3d model image from a character we made from the game InZOI. Other tools include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Final Cut to create videos to simulate animations, and Notability for lo-fi sketching.

Challenges we ran into

The 3d model was a challenge because we did not have enough time to create our very own 3d object rendering complete with texture and colors, which would be ideal for the app, so we had to compromise and use a model we created within a game. Also, doing usability testing, we found it was difficult to create a flow for something so abstract such as all your personal data. Additionally, we struggled with the overall aesthetic of the app, wondering how futuristic we should lean with the design, and how much of the design we should root in already-established design norms.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're proud of coming up with our own unique solution to the incredibly wide problem of data privacy.

What we learned

Creating something for the future is really hard! 3d modeling is also hard, but its a really fun thing to play with.

What's next for Identifi

For Identifi to reach its full potential, it needs to handle massive and ever-growing volumes of data with precision. That means developing advanced data management systems, integrating machine learning for intelligent matching, and potentially building deep search capabilities that can sift through complex datasets. To implement its functionality, Identifi would also need to incorporate 3D spatial face scanning and rendering — allowing it to process visual data in more immersive and accurate ways. As a tool built for the future, Identifi must evolve not just as an app, but as an intelligent interface designed to meet the escalating demands of personal data tracking and digital identity.