Understanding Decentralized IDs

The essence of Decentralized-ID is in creating open standards for a privacy-preserving internet-wide identity layer — not owned by anyone particular organization, but interoperable between all. Decentralized ID is a new type of globally unique identifier (URI) that does not require a centralized registration authority because control of the identifier can be proved using cryptography. I learned today how a DID works! A DID is a Decentralized ID is Identification Assigned to YOU by YOU. From a technical perspective, a DID is a string of letters, numbers, and symbols unique to just me. It resides on a Blockchain, the same kind of technology that CryptoCurrency is one. My personal DID was created using cryptography to secure my information and handle permissions for me. I learned there are three parts involved in making me safe An Identity Owner – the individual aiming to prove his or her Identity A Claims Issuer – a third party authorized to verify credentials (like a notary or justice of the peace) The Relying Party – the service provider accepting the issued claim The identification process might look like this: At CrowdPoint, it was easy. They give them away for free. I went to www.advancedmedicine.exchange, and I filled out a form to create a DID. They then sent me an email and issued a claim that DID through a claimed object shared privately with me. The extended set of numbers was stored on their Blockchain. As the Identity owner, I was able to claim my DID, and from now on - I can determine how and where I want to share my Identity. Wherever I go, the other people have to resolve my DID based on what I want to share, and they are only able to retrieve the necessary data. What I love about it is the fact that my DID was not issued nor controlled by centralized authorities but instead remain under my control, and it was free to create.