Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, expressed concerns regarding digital identity platforms like Worldcoin and their potential impact on anonymity online.
Issues with Single-ID Systems
In a recent statement, Buterin pointed out that one-person-one-ID systems could have significant downsides. He emphasized that while technologies like zero-knowledge proofs (ZK) are being used to protect privacy, they could fall short in ensuring anonymity on the internet.
Threats and Risks
Buterin highlights potential threats associated with governmental control and coercion, where authorities may require users to link their identities or disclose their activities. He argues that as threats increase, users need more, not fewer, tools to protect their anonymity.
Alternative Identity Models
Instead of relying on systems like Worldcoin, Buterin suggests a 'pluralistic identity' model that includes various methods of identity verification, such as social graphs, passports, and crypto wallets. This model allows users to choose what information to share in different contexts.
Buterin does not dismiss the concept of digital identity altogether but cautions against its unconsidered implementation. He stresses the importance of maintaining anonymity for many users in the face of rising threats in the digital world.
