#79 - Has Our SSI Ecosystem Become Morally Bankrupt? (with Christopher Allen)
Has the self-sovereign identity (SSI) movement strayed from its original values? Are we witnessing the centralization of digital identity under the guise of decentralization?
In this compelling episode of The SSI Orbit Podcast, host Mathieu Glaude sits down with Christopher Allen, a pioneering figure in cryptography, decentralized identity, and internet security. Together, they unpack the troubling trends that suggest SSI ecosystems may be drifting away from foundational principles and towards models that ultimately serve governments and corporations rather than individuals.
Christopher shares his deep industry experience, from co-authoring SSL/TLS, which secures the internet today, to leading the development of decentralized identity standards. He discusses how the early promises of user empowerment in digital identity have been eroded by the realities of commercialization, government control, and the re-centralization of power. He also reflects on lessons from history—how identity systems have been weaponized in past regimes—and warns of similar risks emerging in today’s digital landscape.
If you care about privacy, autonomy, and the future of digital identity, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear a thought-provoking discussion on whether SSI is still on the right path—or if it's time to course-correct before it’s too late.
--------
1:08:10
#78 - The United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP) (with Steve Capell)
Are you confident in the environmental and social claims about your products?
In this episode of The SSI Orbit Podcast, host Mathieu Glaude sits down with Steve Capell, Vice Chair of UN/CEFACT and Project Lead of the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP), to explore how transparency and traceability are being revolutionized in global value chains. Together, they unpack the challenges of greenwashing, the urgency of compliance with new regulations, and the transformative potential of a global transparency protocol.
Steve shares real-world examples, such as the impact of carbon border adjustments and digital product passports, highlighting how regulatory frameworks and technological innovation intersect. The conversation also addresses the role of decentralized identifiers and verifiable credentials in ensuring the integrity of sustainability claims.
Key Insights:
Greenwashing is widespread, with over 50% of product claims being misleading or false.
The UNTP offers a standards-based approach to ensure transparency and interoperability in value chains.
Verifiable credentials are essential for decentralized trust, linking data to trusted sources while ensuring integrity.
Regulations like carbon border adjustments and product passports are reshaping trade by enforcing sustainability disclosures.
The UN's role as a neutral body provides a trusted space for creating global standards and recommendations.
Tune in to this episode to learn how the UNTP is driving a shift from marketing-led sustainability claims to evidence-backed transparency and why this transformation is critical for regulatory compliance and strategic business differentiation. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of transparent global trade!
Chapters:
00:00 - Why is the UN pursuing the development of a new protocol to help solve transparency in sustainability disclosures?
09:17 - How to ensure the integrity of claims being made is the d efacto standard?
16:32 - How did the UNTP think through the proper technical and governance architecture to support all transparency use cases?
32:36 - What will become the catalyst for the mass uptake of the UNTP?
40:32 - What makes the UN a good home for the definition of a transparency protocol?
51:03 - Does all data that interacts with the UNTP need to be public?
58:40 - Is there an opportunity for registrars to create value using the UNTP?
Resources
UNTP Overview: A detailed introduction to the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP).
UN/CEFACT: Learn more about the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT).
The digital product passport and its technical implementation
Green claims - European Commission - Environment: New criteria to stop companies from making misleading claims about environmental merits of their products and services.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): EU regulation on carbon emissions and global trade.
--------
1:08:55
#77 - The Global Acceptance Network (GAN) (with Darrell O'Donnell)
What if there was a way to establish a new trust layer for the internet, enabling secure digital interactions and unlocking valuable transactions that are currently impossible?
In this episode of The SSI Orbit Podcast, host Mathieu Glaude sits down with Darrell O'Donnell, Executive Director of the Global Acceptance Network (GAN), to explore this ambitious vision.
The GAN aims to create a neutral, non-profit organization that governs digital public infrastructure for exchanging trusted information. Drawing inspiration from payment networks like Visa, GAN seeks to standardize conversations around digital credentials and identity across different ecosystems and industries globally.
Some of the valuable topics discussed include:
The problems GAN is trying to solve around digital trust
How GAN compares to and complements existing digital identity efforts
GAN's governance structure and business model
The role of trust registries in enabling new types of digital interactions
Tune in to learn how GAN could transform digital trust and enable new forms of secure, valuable transactions in our increasingly digital world.
Chapters:
00:00 - What is the Global Acceptance Network (GAN)
08:35 - What value does GAN bring to whom?
12:05 - Comparing GAN to VISA and SWIFT
17:39 - Does GAN need to become a consumer brand?
22:49 - Who are GAN Members? What type of relationship will they have with GAN?
27:07 - How does GAN differ from and complement National Digital ID programs?
36:16 - How is GAN managing its own internal governance?
40:19 - What is GAN’s business model?
46:27 - How do Trust Registries fit into GAN?
53:29 - What is next for the GAN?
--------
59:22
#76 - Essential Tips for Designing Decentralized Ecosystems (with Antti Kettunen)
Are you struggling to design and implement decentralized digital trust ecosystems that actually work?
In this episode of The SSI Orbit Podcast, host Mathieu Glaude sits down with Ecosystem Architect Antti Kettunen to unpack the challenges of adoption and value creation in decentralized systems.
Antti shares his insights on moving beyond technology-focused conversations and instead building the right incentive models and business value propositions. He explains why simply selling decentralized identity as a technology solution is not enough—ecosystems need to be designed holistically with all stakeholders in mind.
Some of the valuable topics discussed include:
Contrasting value chains in centralized vs decentralized ecosystems
The importance of coordinated governance in decentralized systems
Strategies for Mapping out ecosystem value propositions
Frameworks for analyzing incentives across different participants
Whether you're in the process of building a decentralized identity solution or embarking on a digital transformation journey for an existing ecosystem, this episode is a goldmine of practical insights. It offers essential guidance on how to create sustainable value for all parties involved.
Tune in to gain actionable knowledge that will empower you to design decentralized ecosystems that drive adoption.
Chapters:
00:00 - Value chains for decentralized ecosystems08:27 - Are Wallets the new platforms?14:07 - Are Payments a key enabler for decentralized trust ecosystems25:25 - Will our identifiers ultimately be controlled by Apple/Google and Government wallets?31:27 - Frameworks to enable ecosystems for decentralized data exchanges44:17 - The need for public data layer within ecosystems to build trust and enable trusted interactions50:57 - Understanding ecosystem member incentives in order to increase success rate
Are you curious about how Germany is navigating the complex landscape of digital identity wallets and interoperability?
In this episode of The SSI Orbit Podcast, host Mathieu Glaude sits down with guests Kristina Yasuda and Niels Klomp to explore Germany’s ambitious wallet strategy, the development of interoperability profiles, and the influence of big tech on digital identity.
Kristina and Niels bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the discussion, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of digital identity. They delve into Germany’s approach to creating a secure and user-friendly wallet infrastructure, the challenges of achieving interoperability across different systems, and how major technology companies are shaping the digital identity space.
Get ready to uncover:
The strategic objectives behind Germany’s wallet initiative
Key considerations for developing and implementing interoperability profiles
The role of big tech in driving innovation and potential risks
Insights into the regulatory landscape and its impact on digital identity projects
Join us for an engaging and informative conversation highlighting the complexities and opportunities within the digital identity ecosystem.
Tune in to The SSI Orbit Podcast to stay ahead of the curve and gain valuable insights into the future of digital identity.
Chapters:
00:00 - What wallet solutions are the German government funding, how it fits into eIDAS 2.0
11:58 - Governments x Wallets x Governance Frameworks
18:02 - Technical interop profiles from an adoption cycle lens, adoption being
27:08 - eIDAS 2.0 Personal ID adoption can happen quicker because of Org ID
30:00 - More on technical interoperability profiles: HAIP, DIIP, and the future of interop profiles
41:05 - Japanese government national ID, implications of governments issuing into Big Tech Wallets
46:00 - The Browser API for credential presentation
50:31 - Is there anything missing on top of eIDAS 2.0?
55:48 - About Presentation Exchange and its current/future roadmap in OpenID4VP
Luister naar The SSI Orbit Podcast – Self-Sovereign Identity, Decentralization and Digital Trust, De Groene Nerds en vele andere podcasts van over de hele wereld met de radio.net-app