Linked Web Storage Use Cases

Generic Storage
As a user, I want a format-agnostic online storage system that supports any type of resource, so that I can perform Create, Read, Update, and Delete (CRUD) — including metadata and access-control modifications, as well as recovering previous versions—from any device at any time.
Context: This ensures seamless data management across devices, empowering users with full control over their resources.
Issues: #117, #97, #60, #63, #62, #69

Portable Storage
As a user, I want the ability to self-host my storage or switch between providers without losing my data, so that I retain data sovereignty and can withstand provider outages or migrations without data loss.
Context: Portability prevents vendor lock-in and enhances data sovereignty.
Issues: #30, #58, #140, #61

Offline Data Access
As a user, I want to access and modify my data offline, with automatic synchronization upon reconnection, so that I can work without a network and avoid data corruption or conflicts.
Context: Offline support is vital for users in areas with unreliable connectivity.
Issues: #138, #64, #65, #67

Large File Uploads
As a user, I want to upload large files with resumable uploads, so that interruptions don’t force me to restart the entire transfer.
Context: This improves usability for managing large media or data files.
Issues: #18

Sharing Access
As a data owner, I want to grant and revoke fine-grained permissions on my resources, so that collaborators have appropriate access and receive notifications when their permissions change.
Context: Granular control ensures secure and tailored data sharing.
Issues: #7, #27, #116, #148, #120, #98

Notifications for Permission Changes As a collaborator, I want to receive notifications when my permissions on a resource are granted, revoked, or modified, so that I am informed about changes to my access rights in a timely manner. Context: Timely notifications help collaborators stay updated on their access to shared resources, enhancing collaboration and security. Issues: #116, #78

Profile Sharing
As a user, I want to maintain multiple profiles with distinct access controls, so that I can share specific information while keeping other data private.
Context: Multiple profiles support different personas or contexts (e.g., work vs. personal).
Issues: #29, #57

Group Sharing
As a user, I want to share data with dynamic groups (e.g., event attendees), so that membership and permissions update automatically as the group evolves.
Context: This simplifies access management for temporary or changing collaborations.
Issues: #38, #102

Administrative Assistant
As a user, I want to delegate specific permissions to an assistant, with audit logs tracking their actions, so that they can manage my data securely on my behalf.
Context: Delegation aids users needing assistance while maintaining oversight.
Issues: #10, #104, #118

Context-Aware Access Policies
As an administrator, I want to enforce access policies based on contextual factors like time or geolocation or relative location (near Bob), so that access to data adapts dynamically to real-world conditions.
Context: Context-aware policies enhance security and flexibility.
Issues: #17, #147, #94

Health Record Access
As a patient, I want to share specific health records with an AI assistant using delegated authorization, so that I can get a second opinion with audit logs ensuring accountability.
Context: This supports secure, audited health data sharing for informed decisions.
Issues: #11, #46, #54

Meeting Scheduling
As a user, I want to schedule meetings directly through my storage, with conflict detection for online and offline scenarios, so that I avoid double-booking.
Context: Integrated scheduling boosts productivity and coordination.
Issues: #3, #42

Real-Time Notifications
As a collaborator, I want real-time notifications when resources I access are updated, so that I stay informed without manual checks.
Context: Timely updates enhance collaboration efficiency.
Issues: #32, #79

Application Notifications
As a user, I want email or web push notifications for storage activity, so that I remain aware of important events.
Context: Notifications keep users engaged with their data.
Issues: #100

Universal Communication
As a user, I want direct messaging channels with other storage owners, so that I can collaborate seamlessly within the platform.
Context: Built-in communication strengthens user interaction.
Issues: #99, #22

Polling
As a user, I want to create and manage polls within my storage, so that I can gather opinions and feedback from others.
Context: Polls support decision-making and community engagement.
Issues: #144

Semantic Collaboration
As a user, I want to co-author structured content with others using permanent URIs and flexible permissions, so that collaboration is efficient and traceable.
Context: This enables advanced use cases like shared knowledge bases.
Issues: #146, #98

Personal Information Management
As a user, I want to manage my personal data in my storage and integrate it with non-Solid apps via some data transformation, so that I can use various apps without creating data silos.
Context: This promotes interoperability and user control.
Issues: #2

Bring-Your-Own-Data Apps
As an app developer, I want my applications to store data in user's storage, with support for CRUD operations and store discovery, so that users retain ownership and control of their data.
Context: This shifts data ownership from apps to users.
Issues: #12, #120

Digital Goods Delivery
As a user, I want secure delivery of digital goods (e.g., software, media) with confirmation receipts, so that providers can deliver assets with minimal intervention.
Context: This ensures reliable digital product delivery.
Issues: #14

Data Integration
As an app developer, I want a standardized API to combine data from multiple sources, so that integrating diverse datasets is straightforward and efficient.
Context: Simplified integration reduces development complexity.
Issues: #26, #53, #88, #106

Business Data Access
As a business user, I want clear enforcement rules for data sharing, so that enterprise integrations comply with organizational policies.
Context: This supports secure enterprise use cases.
Issues: #27, #28

Timeseries Storage
As a user, I want to store timeseries data with resolution limits and multidimensional analysis support, so that I can efficiently analyze trends over time.
Context: This is critical for applications like IoT or analytics.
Issues: #6

Sensor Data Sharing
As a user, I want to share sensor data at varying levels of granularity without duplication, so that consumers receive only the detail they need.
Context: Efficient sharing reduces resource usage.
Issues: #8

Legal Reporting
As a data provider, I want verifiable proof of data sharing to support audit compliance, so that I can meet legal obligations even after access is revoked.
Context: This ensures transparency and accountability.
Issues: #9

Search Functionality
As a user, I want powerful search capabilities with contextual awareness and security enforcement, so that I can find relevant resources quickly and safely.
Context: Effective search is essential for large datasets.
Issues: #152, #87

Pagination & Filtering
As a user, I want efficient pagination, filtering, and ordering of search results, so that I can navigate large datasets easily.
Context: These features enhance data usability.
Issues: #103

SPARQL Queries
As a power user, I want support for SPARQL queries to perform complex searches and data analysis, so that I can extract insights from linked data.
Context: SPARQL enables advanced semantic web queries.
Issues: #45

Website Creation
As a user, I want to publish self-describing websites with persistent URIs, so that my content remains accessible and interoperable over time.
Context: This supports durable web publishing.
Issues: #31

Home Access
As a user, I want to access my storage from home devices with dynamic IPs, so that connectivity issues don’t prevent me from using my data.
Context: This ensures accessibility in home environments.
Issues: #105, #68

Contextual Interactions
As a user, I want context-aware display of interactions alongside content, so that I can understand permissions and history intuitively.
Context: This improves user understanding of data interactions.
Issues: #55

WebID Profile Interaction
As a user, I want clicking a WebID to display profiles and available actions, so that I can engage with contacts effortlessly.
Context: This enhances social and professional interactions.
Issues: #48, #47

Storage Listening
As an app developer, I want offline monitoring of storage changes, so that my applications stay synchronized even without connectivity.
Context: This supports robust offline app functionality.
Issues: #101

End-to-End Encryption
As a user, I want end-to-end encryption for all data storage and transfers, so that only authorized parties can decrypt and access my information.
Context: Encryption ensures data confidentiality.
Issues: #4, #44, #73, #74, #75, #76

Consent-Based Sharing
As a user, I want verifiable consent mechanisms with audit trails for data sharing, so that I can ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
Context: Consent management supports ethical data practices.
Issues: #141, #80, #81, #82, #83, #84, #85, #86

Legal Grounds Support
As a compliance officer, I want to define access policies based on legal grounds (e.g., GDPR), so that data sharing adheres to regulatory requirements.
Context: This ensures global compliance readiness.
Issues: #80, #141, #77

Storage Ownership
As a user, I want ownership assigned upon storage creation, so that I have full control from the outset.
Context: Immediate ownership clarifies user authority.
Issues: #43

Performant Access Control
As a user, I want access control mechanisms that are responsive and scalable, so that the system performs well even under heavy load.
Context: Performance is critical for large-scale use.
Issues: #72, #153, #71

Clear Error Messages
As a user, I want error messages that are clear and actionable, so that I can resolve issues quickly and without frustration.
Context: Good error handling enhances user experience.
Issues: #34

Identity & Credentials Management
As a user, I want to manage my identities and credentials locally, so that I control my authentication process directly from my device.
Context: Local management boosts security and autonomy.
Issues: #25, #90, #115, #153, #128

Authentication Mechanisms
As a user, I want support for modern authentication methods like passkeys, silent authentication, and script-friendly options, so that I can authenticate securely across diverse scenarios.
Context: Flexible authentication meets varied user needs.
Issues: #39, #41, #49, #50, #51, #114, #162, #129, #130, #136

Trust Mechanism for Storage Providers As a Storage Provider, I want a mechanism to trust Identity Providers for authenticating entities, so that I can ensure only authenticated and authorized entities access the storage.
Context: This trust relationship is crucial for maintaining security in a decentralized system where multiple Identity Providers may be involved.
Issues: #129

Delegation of Control
As an entity, I want to delegate control of my storage to another entity, temporarily or permanently, so that I can manage access flexibly while retaining the ability to modify or revoke the delegation later.
Context: Delegation of control enables entities to grant others the ability to manage their storage, which is critical for collaborative or administrative use cases in a decentralized system.
Issues: #132

API Protocol Decoupling
As a developer, I want APIs decoupled from HTTP, so that I can build local-first applications or use alternative protocols like gRPC or GraphQL.
Context: Decoupling enhances development flexibility.
Issues: #24

Backend Service Integration
As a service provider, I want secure authentication methods like mTLS or simpler alternatives for backend services, so that integration with LWS is seamless and secure.
Context: This ensures reliable backend connectivity.
Issues: #40, #56, #92

Storage Description and Discovery
As a user or application, I want to retrieve metadata about available storage and service capabilities, so that I can configure interactions appropriately and adapt to different storage behaviors.
Context: Describing server capabilities in a standardized way allows clients to dynamically adjust their operations, improves interoperability, and facilitates tooling or automation.
Issues: #21

Globally Unique Identifiers
As a user, I want all resources and entities to have globally unique identifiers, so that I avoid conflicts and ensure data integrity across systems.
Context: Unique IDs are foundational for decentralized systems.
Issues: #108, #115, #160, #66

Storage Flexibility
As a user, I want the ability to dynamically split or aggregate storage units, so that I can adjust capacity and organization as my needs evolve.
Context: Flexible storage supports scalability and customization.
Issues: #110, #136, #127, #69, #70

Hypermedia Authoring
As a developer, I want consistent mechanisms for authoring hypermedia representations (e.g., JSON-LD, Siren), so that clients can navigate and interact with APIs uniformly.
Context: Standardized hypermedia improves API usability.
Issues: #33, #124