Envision a world where you are the master of your own identity. You decide who sees your name, age, or even your shopping history. That is the promise of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)—you control your personal data, while others have no authority over it. This concept challenges the traditional model in which governments hold the power to manage your identity, as seen with electronic identity documents (eIDs). But what if these two worlds didn’t need to clash? What if they could work together?
Let us dive into the dynamic world of digital identities and see how SSI and eIDs could become unexpected allies in the fight for data privacy and control.
Identity Management: The Old Guard vs. the New Rebels
For decades, identity management was pretty straightforward: governments controlled the identities of their citizens. But then, there were the tech giants and their platforms, which rapidly expanded digital identity management systems worldwide. This shift meant that we, the users, started to rely on states, employers, or big tech companies to handle our personal information. And trust? Well, that was required in buckets. Think social media, major software companies, and even online retailers—all with a vested interest in your data.
But wait! Here comes Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), a game-changer. With SSI, the power shifts back to the individual. Through software wallets, people can control their own digital identity, adding or removing pieces of personal data as they see fit. Want to share your university degree with a potential employer but keep your grocery list private? Done. Plus, your data can be verified by trusted third parties—thanks to blockchain or digital signatures—making it tamper-proof and secure.
SSI: The Power of Control, Now in Your Pocket
While SSI is still in its “getting started” phase, there are some exciting projects making waves. Take the European Union’s European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), for example. This initiative is working on creating a European Self-Sovereign Identity Framework (ESSIF) that will allow users to manage their identities according to European regulations. Think of it as a digital ID playground—complete with decentralized identifiers (DIDs) that users can store in their wallets, giving them ultimate control over who can see what.
And it’s not just the EU getting in on the action. The IDunion project, spearheaded by a group of German companies, is developing a global, open SSI infrastructure for individuals everywhere. Meanwhile, GAIA-X, another EU-backed initiative, is creating a secure, cloud-based data infrastructure for Europe that’s free from US tech giants’ influence. Welcome to the new age of identity management, where control is back in your hands.
The ID Wallet: Germany’s Experiment with SSI
Germany is already dipping its toes into the world of SSI with the ID Wallet—a smartphone app that allows users to manage and share their identity data digitally. The first big test of this technology? A digital driving license. It’s simple: if you’re a German citizen with a valid driver’s license, you can use your phone to access car-sharing services and rentals. But like any new tech, it ran into some hiccups. Overwhelmed servers and security flaws led to the app being temporarily pulled from stores. But hey, that’s just the growing pains of an exciting new tech, right? The ID Wallet is still seen as a promising glimpse into the future of SSI.
Can eID and SSI Work Together? You Bet!
So, here’s the plot twist: SSI and eIDs aren’t necessarily enemies. Despite their different approaches, these two systems have some serious potential when combined. Ben Drisch, a cybersecurity expert at cryptovision, believes that eIDs could actually help enhance SSI. “For example, an eID can serve as a secure, convenient way for users to authenticate themselves when accessing their digital wallet”, says Drisch, “—no more fumbling with passwords.”. And if your wallet is linked to cloud storage, the eID could also add an extra layer of protection, keeping your data safe.
On top of that, an eID can contribute valuable data to a user’s SSI. For example, the details on your eID—like your name, date of birth, or even health records—can be transferred into your SSI wallet. The beauty of this? Since the eID is digitally signed by the government, it serves as a built-in authenticity check for the data being transferred. Talk about a win-win!
What’s Next for eID and SSI?
The real question is: will governments let us take control of our digital identities? If they do, the fusion of SSI and eID could revolutionize how we manage our personal data. The EU, through initiatives like EBSI, is showing interest in making this happen, and some governments are beginning to embrace the idea of empowering citizens with the tools to manage their identities.
If governments stay on the fence, however, it could be tough to see SSI and eID work together in harmony. But as it stands, Europe is leading the way in exploring these possibilities, and we’re likely to see more initiatives pop up in the near future.
The Takeaway
SSI and eID might seem like a pair of unlikely allies, but together, they could create a more secure, flexible, and user-friendly system for digital identity management. The real magic will happen if governments get on board and allow their citizens to take the reins. It’s an exciting time for the world of digital identities, and we’re just getting started.
