And a second serving of food for thought Norbert -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [governance] Proposed theme: user centric digital identity Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 08:42:37 -0800 From: Garth Graham <[log in to unmask]> To: governance <[log in to unmask]> ISSUE: User centric digital identity a. A concise formulation for the proposed theme How can the IGF assist in finding the support that is needed both for new systems of digital identity that center identity around the user and for open public participation in their design and application? b. A brief description of why it is important The issue of how participation in an online world changes our personal need to control the expression of identity is as close as anything to the heart of comprehending Internet Governance in the context of a transition to an Information Society. As the online world moves towards “Web 2.0,” the concept of digital identity is evolving and existing identity systems are faltering. New systems are emerging that center identity around the user. This is an issue where civil society voices with experience from within the Information Society need to be visible taking a strong advocacy role. They need to do this precisely because the issue clarifies the benefits of daily life online in a particular way. We will trust that the structures of an Information society are fair only when it is clear in right, and in law and in code that we are the owners of all of the forms for the digital expression of ourselves. c. How it is in conformity with the Tunis Agenda in terms of *substance*, particularly in reference to para. 34 to 54; It can be argued that the issue of digital identity is interesting precisely because it is largely unanticipated by the Tunis agenda, except weakly as follows: 39. We seek to build confidence and security in the use of ICTs by strengthening the trust framework. 43. We reiterate our commitments to the positive uses of the Internet and other ICTs 56. The Internet remains a highly dynamic medium and therefore any framework and mechanisms designed to deal with Internet governance should be inclusive and responsive to the exponential growth and fast evolution of the Internet as a common platform for the development of multiple applications. 58. We recognize that Internet governance includes more than Internet naming and addressing. It also includes other significant public policy issues such as, inter alia, ……. issues pertaining to the use of the Internet. In that the Tunis agenda on IG assumes a framework of actors based in government, private sector and civil society, it is not an agenda centered on the individual user. Although the Tunis agenda makes reference to “cross cutting” issues, it might be more useful to see that the issue of digital identity, rather than cross cutting, is in fact on a dimension of Information Society unity and benefit that is orthogonal to the WSIS dimension of Internet problems. d. How it fits within the mandate of the IGF as detailed in para 72; As per 72 (a,g,j,k), Digital Identity is an emerging critical resource issue in the development of the Internet that is of particular concern to everyday users. a) Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the ….. development of the Internet. g) Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations. j) Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources. k) Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users. e. Who the main actors in the field are, who could be encouraged to participate in the Forum and its thematic sessions. There is a great deal of work currently being done on trust, privacy and identity management infrastructures, but largely without a WSIS/ IG cross-over or public participation. The following list is illustrative, not definitive: SXIP Identity SAML 2.0 Identity Metasystem “InfoCards” Higgins Trust Framework Project Planet Identity Identity Commons Digital ID World The Yadis Project f. Why should this issue should be addressed in the first annual meeting of the Forum rather than in subsequent ones. Digital Identity is an issue that can serve to reorient the IGF towards thinking more long term about the Internet’s role in the future development of an Information Society, rather than dwelling completely on current issues understood negatively as problems. Garth Graham Telecommunities Canada _______________________________________________ governance mailing list [log in to unmask] https://ssl.cpsr.org/mailman/listinfo/governance