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Decentralised Identity

A digital identity that is managed and verified through a decentralized network, allowing for greater privacy and control over personal data.

Description

Decentralised Identity (DID) refers to a new concept of identity management that enables individuals and entities, including Non-Human Identities (NHIs) such as IoT devices, applications, and virtual agents, to own and control their identity without relying on a central authority. This approach leverages blockchain technology and cryptographic techniques to create self-sovereign identities that can be verified and authenticated by multiple parties in a secure and tamper-proof manner. In the context of NHIs, decentralised identity allows devices or applications to interact with each other and with humans in a trustful environment. For example, an autonomous vehicle can prove its identity to traffic systems and other vehicles, ensuring secure communication and transactions. This not only enhances security but also provides a framework for privacy, as NHIs can selectively disclose information without exposing their entire identity. The use of decentralised identities can significantly improve the efficiency and safety of interactions in a digital ecosystem increasingly populated by non-human entities.

Examples

  • An IoT device that uses a DID to authenticate itself to a smart city infrastructure.
  • A virtual assistant that manages its identity to interact securely with various online services.

Additional Information

  • Decentralised identity systems can reduce reliance on traditional identity providers and mitigate identity theft.
  • They enable programmable trust, allowing NHIs to establish and manage relationships with other entities autonomously.

References