Digital Identity: Six Degrees of Freedom
I think about digital identity a lot. I’m always on the lookout for models that reflect concisely on what I believe how a system should reflect what’s required for digital identity and my use of such system.

One such model is Degrees of Freedom (read the link for more details) I remember from my engineering school days. Three degrees of freedom give you the ability to anywhere in space; Six degrees of freedom additionally give you the ability to orient yourself within that space. Whether a ship at sea, or a plane in the sky complete freedom is six degrees of freedom.
That got me thinking — maybe an ideal identity system, should have six degrees of freedom too . My digital identity, just as a ship in international waters, or a plane in international skies, should have complete freedom, or, more specifically, six degrees of freedom.
So here we go — the six degrees of freedom I am looking for:
- Freedom of Credential — I should have the ability to use whatever credential (login, etc.) that ensures that I am in control.
- Freedom of Identity Data — I should have the ability to decide what identity information to use to identify myself.
- Freedom of Authorities — I should have the ability to choose which authorities (or lack thereof) I require to vouch for me on my behalf.
- Freedom of Disclosure — I should be able to decide which identity information (or subset of information) I give to others.
- Freedom of Consent — I should be able to decide how and when my identity information can be used, including the ability to fully revoke its use, if so be.
- Freedom from Control — I should have full agency over the decisions relating to the above in the identity system I choose to use.
Of course, a relying party (government, private sector) may not agree to all of the above freedoms. That’s ok, but at least we are aware of the bargain we are striking before entering into the use of whatever identity system.
Just as the freedom of a ship or plane has in the sea or sky, digital identity should be no different. Six degrees of freedom.
