Who owns the digital value? Data, algorithms, platforms, and the digital foundations of community wealth

Behind every digital service is a stack of assets someone owns. Legal title and practical control are rarely held by the same party — and the difference decides who captures the value.

This is the thirteenth paper in IIBD's Community Wealth Infrastructure series and the third in its applied phase. It applies the series architecture to digital systems: data, algorithms, platforms, and infrastructure.

Part of the Community Wealth Infrastructure Series (Working Paper No. 13), published by IIBD.

Suggested citation: Williams, R., & Dillon, D. (2026). Who owns the digital value? Data, algorithms, platforms, and the digital foundations of community wealth (Community Wealth Infrastructure Series, Working Paper No. 13). IIBD.