Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Blerin has introduced a new type of digital identity system called “pluralistic identity,” which focuses on protecting privacy while activating fair participation in digital life.
In a blog post Na -Published Sunday, Baterin explored the promise and pitfalls of Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Ids wrapped in proof, which warn that even privacy appreciation systems can bring serious risk if they strictly implement an identity to each person.
The Ethereum (Eth) Mastermind noted that many new digital ID projects use zero-knowledge proofs to let users prove that they have a valid ID without announcing personal details. Examples Include World IDthat has exceeds 10 million usersTaiwan’s Digital ID project, and European Union initiatives that further strengthen ZK technology.
“ZK-wrapping solves many important problems,” he wrote, but warned that the “ZK-wrapped ID still has risks,” especially since implementing an ID per person can break the pseudonymity and expose users to coercion.
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Single digital IDs can kill pseudonymity
One major risk that Baterin has identified is that platforms can force users into a single, monitored identity, eliminating the ability to maintain separate pseudonymous profiles. “In the real world, pseudonymity generally requires having multiple accounts,” he said.
Without this flexibility, he is arguing, users can find themselves in a world where “all your activity must be de-facto is under a single public identity,” increasing risks from monitoring the government or employer.
Blerin also denied the idea of using “proof of wealth” only as an anti-Sybil proposal, saying that it was not included in the people who could not pay and focus power on the rich. “The theoretical ideal is something in the middle, where you can get N’s ² identification,” he said.
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Buterin recommends pluralistic IDs
To achieve a flexible approach, Blerin suggested pluralistic identity systems, where no single authority controls the release of identity, as “best realistic solution.”
He explained that these could be clear, using social-graph-based verification such as circles, or implicits, which rely on many ID-Government-Government providers, social platforms, and others-so no ID is getting a nearby market part.
“Any form of pluralistic identity … is naturally more tolerant of error,” he says, pointing out that this flexibility helps individuals in vain or those who cannot access traditional IDs.
Ultimately, Blerin disputed the best outcome would combine one-per-person identity schemes with social-graph-graph systems to bootstrap different, global identification networks.
“If their market sharing is getting too close to 100%, they moved the world … In a one-per-person model, with worse properties,” he warned, emphasizing that only plural identity could balance privacy, inclusivity, and resistance to abuse.
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