Microsoft has launched the open-source decentralized identity (DID) solution, ION, on the Bitcoin blockchain. This is described in the company’s blog.
The technology will enable users to identify themselves to access certain information. The ION identifiers, managed by the system, are decentralised; in the event of account deletion, access to services linked to the account will be preserved.
Similar to how transactions are signed on the Bitcoin network, DID serves as proof of ownership. Individual ION nodes are responsible for monitoring identifiers and recording timestamps on the blockchain.
According to the developers, the data in the system belongs to users, not to services. Participating in the project were Casa, ConsenSys, Gemini, BitPay and Protocol Labs, as well as the Transmute and SecureKey teams.
In May 2019, the company announced the development of ION. At that time, the developers planned to move from the testnet to the mainnet within a few months.
In June 2020, Microsoft launched a beta version of the solution.
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