Vitalik Buterin has outlined his concept of plurastic identity, proposing a new approach to digital identities that spreads power across various service providers.
Concept of Plurastic Identity
Buterin describes plurastic identity as a means to protect privacy and ensure fair access to digital identification networks. He warns that zero-knowledge proof-wrapped IDs can become tools of control if a single issuer dominates, potentially leading to loss of pseudonymity.
Rejection of Wealth Checks
Buterin rejects proof-of-wealth checks as anti-Sybil measures, arguing they favor wealthy individuals and exclude the underbanked. Instead, he suggests a cost curve where the cost of N identities is approximately N², making mass ID creation too expensive for bad actors.
Public Reaction and Current Trends
Community reaction has been largely positive. Many users praised the Circles model as a 'live experiment in decentralized identity' that may curb top-down control. If adopted, plurastic identity could preserve pseudonymity while allowing users to prove their credentials on demand.
Vitalik Buterin's ideas on plurastic identity could significantly influence the future of digital identities, enhancing privacy and accessibility for diverse users.
