Contemporary digital research collaboration occurs primarily through platforms designed for data extraction and behavioral monetization. Researchers, volunteers, and community members generate valuable intellectual labor while platform operators harvest behavioral data, social graphs, and content for commercial purposes. This extractive model fundamentally misaligns with cooperative research principles and creates systematic vulnerabilities for communities engaged in sensitive or innovative work.

The NTARI Backend is infrastructure designed specifically for community sovereignty rather than commercial exploitation. By utilizing Wix Groups as a foundation while implementing strict privacy protections and community governance frameworks, we demonstrate practical alternatives to surveillance-based collaboration platforms.