Navigating the Complexity of Identity vs Identifiability in the AI Era

In today’s AI powered digital age, the concept of identity has taken on new dimensions and complexities, shaped by the degree of identifiability individuals possess within the vast, networked world. Privacy, agency, and freedom hinge on our ability to control our identifiability, making it crucial to examine the dynamic relationship between identity and identifiability.

In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating realm of identity and explore the different states of identifiability, ranging from being off the grid to being identifiable, and everything in between, emphasizing the importance of understanding and maintaining the desired state of identity in different transactions. While the source and reliability of identity credentials are noteworthy, identifiability should be the central focus in our exploration of identity.

The States of Identity

There exist various states of identity, each representing a different level of identifiability. Let’s explore them:

1. Off-Grid: This state refers to individuals who do not participate in any digital networks or systems. They consciously choose to disconnect from the grid, making it exceedingly difficult to track or identify them. Being off the grid can be likened to a form of digital excommunication or self-exile in our interconnected world and as such is impractical for most.
2. Invisible: In the invisible state, individuals or entities use digital services in a manner that leaves no trace or footprint. Achieving complete invisibility is challenging for most people, although it is technically possible. Those in this state maintain the highest level of privacy possible online by ensuring their digital presence remains undetectable.
3. Anonymous: Individuals in the anonymous state have a presence online, but their identity cannot be isolated or established. An anonymous person may be verified as a member of a group or an individual, but their specific identity remains unknown. Similarly, an anonymous machine cannot be tied to a persistent identity. Anonymity is the most practical way to secure high level privacy for most people.
4. Pseudonymous: A pseudonymous identity is persistent, but it may or may not be associated with a specific entity. In the case of strong pseudonymity, exemplified by Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, the identity is persistent but unattached to a known person or group. Weak pseudonymity, on the other hand, allows the association of a pseudonym with the real identity, such as with Jay-Z (Sean Carter) or Puff Daddy (Sean Combs).
5. Identifiable: The identifiable state of identity corresponds to using one’s real name and providing verifiable identification information. This state encompasses the use of real names and official identification documents, establishing a direct link between the online and offline person and identity.

Importance of Identifiability:

While the reliability and source (government, enterprise or self) of identity credentials are important, they take a secondary role compared to the fundamental aspect of identifiability. The primary focus in identity considerations should revolve around determining whether a person should be anonymous, pseudonymous, or identifiable within a specific transaction or engagement. Once the desired state of identity is established, attention can shift towards implementing measures that ensure the reliability and maintenance of that state.

For each state, different considerations come into play. Anonymity demands measures to protect and preserve anonymity, pseudonymity requires methods to maintain strong or weak links between the pseudonym and the person/entity, and identifiability necessitates establishing reliable means of verification.

Conclusion:

In the digital age, the concept of identity has become multi-faceted and intertwined with issues of privacy, agency, and freedom. The ability to control one’s identifiability is essential to maintaining fundamental human rights digitally. Understanding the different states of identity, from being off-grid to being identifiable, provides valuable insights into how we navigate the complex digital landscape equitably bringing safety to individuals and society as a whole.

While the sources and reliability of identity credentials are important, they should not overshadow the crucial question of identifiability. What identity state a person should have: anonymous, pseudonymous or identifiable in a particular context should form the foundation of identity considerations. By addressing this fundamental question and implementing appropriate measures, we can ensure a balance between privacy, security, and trust in the digital realm.