Unique Identity in the Digital Age

The Need for Anonymous and Sybil-Resistant Identity

In the burgeoning era of Web 3.0, which encompasses internet applications, blockchains, decentralized applications (dApps), and self-sovereign identity frameworks, a critical component remains conspicuously absent—an anonymous, yet Sybil-resistant identity system. IDON aims to fill this gap by providing a decentralized solution that adheres to several key principles established by earlier blockchain systems like Bitcoin:

• Global and Verifiable Online: Ensuring that each identity can be verified anywhere in the world without the need for centralized authorities.

• Permissionless and Inclusive: Making the system accessible to anyone without discriminatory barriers to entry.

• Decentralized Identity Verification: Operating without reliance on trusted third parties to verify identities.

• Sybil-Resistant: Preventing fraudulent activities by ensuring that each participant controls only one identity.

• Privacy-Preserving: Protecting users' anonymity while still allowing them to participate fully in the digital ecosystem.

• Censorship-Resistant and Plausibly Deniable: Offering a platform where users can interact without fear of censorship or coercion.

Current Challenges in Identity Systems

Most contemporary identity mechanisms fall short in one or more of the following areas:

• Centralized Identity Providers (e.g., Google, Facebook): These systems are dependent on centralized control, not universally accessible, and are susceptible to market trading and spoofing.

• Government ID Systems: Require sharing personally identifiable information (PII) with centralized entities, are not inclusive, and potentially lead to an Orwellian surveillance state.

• Biometric Systems: Depend on specific hardware and algorithms that can be manipulated or falsified and lack plausible deniability.

• Video Identification: Susceptible to manipulation by advanced AI technologies capable of creating high-quality deepfakes.

These shortcomings highlight the urgent need for a robust solution that can provide reliable, decentralized, and anonymous digital identities. IDON’s Proof-of-Person protocol is designed to meet these challenges head-on, providing a scalable and secure framework for verifying human participants without infringing on their privacy or autonomy.