Decentralized identity offers several benefits compared to traditional, centralized identity management systems. With decentralized identity users have complete control over their personal data and how it is shared. A person has identifiers, data, credentials—and they keep those in a digital wallet to share at will. This puts people in charge of their identity and helps protect their privacy. It can also enhance security by reducing the risk of data breaches and hacks. Since personal data is not stored in a central database, there is no single point of failure that can be exploited by hackers.
We're still a few technological advances away from an end-goal where everyone owns their digital likeness. We need systems that can communicate with each other on a common set of standards, easy-to-use digital identity systems, and ways to include populations that have been excluded from traditional digital markets. But setting aside those challenges for a moment, it can be fun to think about potential use cases in a world where blockchain-backed identity solutions are universal.
Below is a list of ways decentralized systems can empower people, organizations, and communities to own, move, and protect their identities in the future to change the way we live, work, and play.
All these examples are written to illustrate what’s possible, assuming we build systems to communicate with one another, support access for diverse populations, and make tools that are simple for people, businesses, and governments to use.
We can empower people to control their personal data and identity with self-sovereign ID, and they can share it with others securely and selectively.
We can build ways for people to access new and emerging financial services and products without relying on traditional banks or intermediaries. For financial institutions, we can make AML & KYC instant and automated.
Register a product, rent a car, renew car tags—we can make it easy for institutions and companies to verify the identity of their users remotely and securely.
We can create an environment where patients control their health data and share it with healthcare providers as needed, automatically, which will greatly reduce administrative costs.
DID can enable end-to-end tracking and verification of products and goods across the supply chain, while letting us automate customs, monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
We can eliminate election drama by enabling secure and transparent voting processes that are free from fraud and manipulation.
Decentralized identity will give companies the ability to instantly grant secure access to physical and digital spaces and resources.
Blockchain-backed identity will make it easy to complete the verification and authentication of digital documents and transactions.
No more surrendering your digital profile to advertising companies, as blockchain-backed identity helps users control the use and sharing of their personal data, browsing history, and preferences.
We can build new ways for users to communicate and share content without relying on centralized platforms that collect and control user data.
Decentralized ID makes it easier for displaced persons to access services and prove their identity without relying on a centralized authority, which can lighten the burden on state security services as well.
From financial inclusion to data literacy, self-sovereign ID can empower people to access services and opportunities that were previously unavailable to them.
Currently people might connect to a variety of payment applications or ecosystems, where self-sovereign identity can empower a single, frictionless, and secure payment without intermediaries.
Decentralized ID will make it easy for companies to reward their customers based on their identity and behavior.
Decentralized ID will enable secure and private communication between devices and their owners, opening new constructs for securely identifying things and organizations.
Soon you will only see the ads that matter to you as companies deliver targeted and relevant ads and promotions based on your identity and preferences.
Safe and secure migration, customs, and travel, as companies, financial institutions, and governments verify identity in different countries and regions more easily.
Decentralized ID will allow aid organizations to deliver aid and support to people in need without relying on centralized authorities.
Decentralized ID will allow insurance companies to offer personalized and fair insurance products based on the user's identity and behavior.
Students will prove their identity and credentials and access online courses and educational resources, and carry those credentials with them.
Any new technology that has the potential to change the way we live and work comes with risks. For example, how do we ensure that blockchain identity tech isn’t used in the wrong way? What if a government, company, or individual wants to permanently attach something to our identity that we don’t accept? If our device is lost or stolen, how do we get our identity back? There are plenty of issues to sort out as we define the ways identity will work in web3.
But what’s clear is that the market is demanding ways for people to own their identity, control use of their data, and take control of their online presence. These are a few examples of the use cases for decentralized identity. As the technology evolves, more industries will adopt decentralized identity to enable secure, trusted, and user-centric data exchange—and we’ll update this page to reflect those developments.
Speak to one of our experts about how to use decentralized ID in your app.
Contact UsSpeak to one of our experts about how to use decentralized ID in your app.
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Speak to one of our experts about how to use decentralized ID in your app.
Contact UsSpeak to one of our experts about how to use decentralized ID in your app.
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