Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has proposed a new concept of digital identity aimed at protecting user privacy and ensuring fair access in the digital space.
Risks of ZK-Wrapped IDs
In his blog post, Buterin discussed both the promises and pitfalls of ZK-proof-wrapped IDs, warning against the risks associated with enforcing a 'one ID per person' model. He indicated that such systems could undermine pseudonymity and lead to user coercion. He noted that many new digital ID projects are leveraging zero-knowledge proofs to allow users to verify their identity without disclosing personal information.
Pluralism in Identification Systems
To address the highlighted issues, Buterin proposed a pluralistic identity system where no single authority controls identity issuance. He believes this represents the 'best realistic solution' as it prevents power centralization while offering users a variety of identification resources. He emphasized the possibility of using social-graph-based verification or multiple ID providers.
Community Reactions to Buterin's Ideas
Community feedback on Buterin's blog post has been predominantly positive. Many users support his choice of the Circle platform as a significant experiment in decentralized identity, which may provide an alternative to traditional identity systems. One user commented that this proposal could greatly benefit those lacking access to conventional identification methods.
Vitalik Buterin's ideas on pluralistic identification reflect a desire to create safer and more inclusive digital identities, which could positively impact personal privacy for users in the future.
