universal privacy Commons: 4/5

Self-Sovereign Identity

Also known as:

1. Overview

Self-Sovereign Identity is a pattern for building resilient value creation systems.

Problem: Traditional identity systems are centralized, with identity providers (e.g., governments, corporations) controlling user data. This creates a single point of failure, limits user control, and makes it difficult to manage identity across different contexts.

Context: You are designing a value creation system that requires users to have a digital identity. You want to empower users with control over their own identity and data, while enabling trust and interoperability across the ecosystem.

2. Core Principles

Implement a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model, where individuals have sole ownership and control over their digital identity. SSI is based on three core components:

  • Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs): Globally unique, user-controlled identifiers that are not dependent on any central authority.
  • Verifiable Credentials (VCs): Tamper-evident, cryptographically verifiable claims about an individual, issued by a trusted party.
  • Identity Wallets: User-controlled applications for managing DIDs, VCs, and other identity data.

3. Rationale

SSI shifts the identity paradigm from a provider-centric to a user-centric model. This:

  • Empowers Users: Gives individuals control over their own identity and data.
  • Enhances Privacy: Enables selective disclosure of information, minimizing data exposure.
  • Increases Security: Eliminates single points of failure and reduces the risk of large-scale data breaches.
  • Promotes Interoperability: DIDs and VCs are based on open standards, enabling identity to be used across different systems and contexts.

4. Consequences

  • Positive:
    • Increased user trust and empowerment.
    • Enhanced privacy and security.
    • Greater interoperability and reduced vendor lock-in.
    • Enables new models of user-centric value creation.
  • Negative:
    • Can be complex to implement and requires a new way of thinking about identity.
    • User responsibility for key management can be a challenge.
    • The technology and standards are still evolving.

5. Application Context

Best Used For:

  • Value creation systems requiring strong privacy and security foundations
  • Organizations operating in regulated environments
  • Systems handling sensitive data or requiring high trust

6. Known Uses

  • W3C DID and VC Standards: The World Wide Web Consortium has standardized the core components of SSI.
  • Hyperledger Indy, Aries, and Ursa: A suite of open-source projects for building SSI solutions.
  • Evernym (now Avast): A pioneer in the development of SSI technology.