[abramN]

I have been thinking about this. My idea, that I dubbed "The Mesh" basically has each person's profile data as a blob "somewhere" on the internet. The person's profile would have different tiers for the type of data - personal, professional, etc. Inviting someone to communicate or collaborate with would be a transfer of keys that would allow you to access a particular tier. The user would then use a web browser client or native app to access/update their own profile data, communicate with other profiles they have keys for, upload their own profile data, etc...

Clearly, though, taking control over their own data, and not allowing a FB or similar to own it would require an investment on that person's part. Either hosting their own data or finding an online host they could use would require $$$.