Votes in an election are data, it’s meaningless unless the outcome of the election results in real world consequences.

Balances are just data, unless people are willing to give goods and services for those balances.

A police officer flashing a badge is data, but be may be in a position to arrest you.

Verifiable Credentials is an entire Web2 standard about data. You dont complain about it … well, Web3 assets are like transferable and mutable Verifiable Credentials. All that certificate validation expiry etc. can be done by the current owner, for instance, instead of third parties. It can achieve self-sovereignty, it can reduce a site of massive liability for which we now reuire surety bonds, and more. Even FINCEN sees the value: https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20...