







Identity as a Sovereign Asset: The ARPA Live ID and the Next Economic Paradigm
The Path to Self-Sovereign Identity
Today I head out to a month-long series of events associated with identity: I’m starting with the 22st (!) Internet Identity Workshop next week; then I’...

The Path to Self-Sovereign Identity
Today I head out to a month-long series of events associated with identity: I’m starting with the 22st (!) Internet Identity Workshop next week; then I’...
Self-sovereign identity: the future of personal data ownership?
Despite the economic value of online identities, major concerns remain around privacy issues. Could the self-sovereign identity model be the solution?

Is "acceptably non-dystopian" self-sovereign identity even possible?
In the recent paper about "soulbound" tokens, Vitalik Buterin et al. write that they aim to build technology that is "acceptably non-dystopian". Do any of today's self-sovereign identity projects fit that bill?

Human identity: the number one challenge in computer science
If the modern ‘problem of identity’ was how to construct an identity and keep it solid and stable, the postmodern ‘problem of identity’ is primarily how to avoid fixation and keep the options open. (Bauman 2011)

The Mask-Off Moment for Digital Identity
Our 18-month investigation reveals how digital identity systems create brittle societies. This foreword traces eight case studies that demonstrate the catastrophic failures of digital identity across Estonia, the US, Israel, Ukraine, and beyond.
What is Digital Identity?
Who you are is hardly defined by your drivers license or passport. And yet, this is often how we understand ourselves and others.

Lessons from National Digital ID Systems for Privacy, Security, and Trust in the AI Age
CJ Larkin and Renée DiResta surface lessons from existing national ID schemes relevant to the evolution of digital identity in the age of AI.

Decolonising Global Digital Transformation
The Digital Identity Event Horizon
A five year investigation into digital identity and its central role in creating brittle societies.
Identity is the Platform
This is the talk I gave at Mindtrek in Tampere, Finland. Slides are available here: http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2009/10/01/identity-is-the-platform/
IIW – Internet Identity Workshop
The Internet Identity Workshop — where the identity community meets to discuss and advance digital identity.

Persona (identity verification service)
Persona Identities, Inc. is an American identity verification company headquartered in San Francisco. The company develops infrastructure for businesses to verify individuals and organizations, manage user onboarding, and comply with know your customer (KYC), anti–money laundering (AML), or age verification regulations.
Ephemeral Identities
The Paper Pilot's digital garden of thoughts on philosophy, politics, and sociology. Reading time: ~5 minute read | Published: Sep 16, 2026 | Updated: Sep 17, 2026
There’s Only One State That is Asking the Right Questions About Digital Identity | ACLU
A digital ID system involves value-laden choices that should be made through explicit political discussion and debate
