11-21, 13:30–13:55 (Pacific/Auckland), WG126
This presentation introduces a trustless, browser-based system for Indigenous geospatial data sovereignty. It combines geomasking, encryption, and blockchain to enable secure, third-party-free data sharing. Developed for Māori-managed Biodiversity Areas in Aotearoa New Zealand, the tool ensures privacy and control over sensitive spatial data in cloud environments.
How can Indigenous communities retain full control over their geospatial data in a world dominated by cloud platforms? This talk offers a guided walkthrough of a working prototype that protects Indigenous geospatial knowledge through privacy-first design. Attendees will see how technologies like geomasking, in-browser encryption, and blockchain notarization come together in a seamless tool for secure data sharing — all without relying on external intermediaries. The session will highlight real-world use in Māori-managed Biodiversity Areas in Aotearoa New Zealand and discuss broader ethical and technical considerations around Indigenous data governance. The talk is especially relevant for those interested in GIS, privacy tech, Indigenous rights, and open-source innovation.
Link to article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tgis.13153
As Associate Professor at the University of Fiji. I earned my PhD in Information Science from Otago University, Following my PhD, I joined the Department of Environment at the University of Auckland as a Postdoctoral Fellow, where I contributed to vital research on data sovereignty and Māori biodiversity data management in New Zealand. At the 2023 FOSS4G in Auckland, I presented our web based MapSafe: tool for achieving geospatial data sovereignty, an innovative tool https://www.mapsafe.xyz for secure data management, empowering sovereign data owners to obfuscate, encrypt, and notarize data—all client-side—ensuring data remains protected and verifiable.
This presentation will demonstrate a QGIS desktop based version of the web based tool.