Sovrin Update
Sovrin Update
Session: 11C
Convener: Joyce Searls & Andre Kudra
Notes-taker(s): Bruce Conrad
Tags for the session - technology discussed/ideas considered:
Discussion notes, key understandings, outstanding questions, observations, and, if appropriate to this discussion: action items, next steps:
Phil spoke of the mission of the Sovrin Foundation: “Identity for All”. Not only an identity metasystem that works for the organizations that created it, but for everyone. Open source code development, open protocols, governance, a network where credential exchange can happen. http://www.windley.com/archives/2018/07/the_sovrin_foundation.shtml
A system upon which you build identity systems. E.g. the BC government has built an identity system for constituents in the province to provide safe entry.
http://www.windley.com/archives/2020/02/building_identity_systems_on_the__sovrin_network.shtml
Andre says Sovrin Foundation has been around for three or four years now. Done well in terms of community involvement and support of open source software. There are over 70stewards, including the main net supporting business use cases throughout the world, relying on it on a daily basis. One of the first real-life SSI systems in the world.
Sovrin Foundation homepage: http://www.sovrin.org/ Sovrin Governance Framework home page: http://sovrin.org/governance-framework/
A few weeks ago the Sovrin Foundation moved to a volunteer-led organization. Joyce and I are managing the transition period. Main net continues to remain stable through the transition period and there are no signs that that will change in the near future.
<insert here the work group descriptions>
The core takeaway: rest assured that we are making it work on a continuing basis, and main net will continue to operate.
Joyce asked Drummond to talk about details on the transition, the foundation that has been laid for the next phase.
Drummond Reed invited questions about what was just covered, foundation history, main net, etc. Showing a slide show entitled “Trust over IP Foundation: Driving global adoption.” <insert link to slides here> Brian Behlendorf, the Executive Director of Hyperledger, a part of the Linux Foundation (LF), gave some historical notes. Making sure the code is open source, and that the companies which contribute can be successful. There are now 15 projects in Hyperledger, with more in the lab.
Drummond says Linux Foundation provides a natural home for ToIP Foundation. Its goal is to provide a reference architecture for technology and for governance. He explained the stack; governance stack on the left, technology on the right.
Layer one, public utilities, is a place where DIDs and associated keys are available for all the higher levels to use. Sovrin is the first one of these built for this purpose. It has a DID method (did:sov:) and can resolve the DID into a DID Document containing all needed information. Other networks also have DID methods and fit into this layer. Hyperledger Indy is the first implementation for the Sovrin network.
Layer two, trusted peer to peer communication. End points can be people, organizations, or even things (IoT). Any two devices can connect. Each layer has a corresponding governance frameworks.
Layer three, trusted exchanges. We move from cryptographic trust to human trust. Verifiable credentials are issued by one participant, held by a second, and used by a third party to verify things as needed. E.g. a person might hold credentials that they are an essential worker, have immunity, etc.
Layer four, trusted services. E.g. worldwide Covid-19 service, government systems, etc. <add more examples>
Working groups: Steering committee. Foundry working groups: ecosystem and utility (for layers 4 and 1) to provide help and guidance to projects in their area. <missing the other two WG>
LF created a new branch for a legal framework for open governance efforts.
Back to Joyce. This was background for the transition team. There is a substantial place for main net to land, with a very robust forward path.
Question from Andre, is the LF a comfortable place?
Ben Weaver question, “How does moving to the LF solve financial problems?” The stabilization work stream deals with this, and administrative help available through the LF, sharing costs. Andre says they are determining the minimum viable foundation, working with stewards and endorsers, monitoring the network. These will move forward at their own time and pace.
Brian gives a LF perspective. Likes the term minimal viable foundation. You can always grow later. Answer the question, what is absolutely necessary to fund. The project needs to come up with a budget, and funding comes typically from membership fees (corporate members). E.g. profits from running events, donations. What are the benefits offered to members? E.g. a badge/logo on a home page. Members become part of a financial or budgeting committee. Will it be funded by stewards, or by large or small companies. Another option is fee for services. Hopefully reads remain free, but we’re used to paying to register (e.g. DNS). LF is not a charity foundation, and those running under its umbrella must be financially solvent.
Nicky Hickman shares a document <insert link here>:
- Maintain a strong, stable MainNet (and others StagingNet and BuilderNet,
- Establish a global SSI ecosystem and network of networks
- Advance Identity for All and SSI as a basic universal service (in the manner of telco’s)
- Repay the debts of the current Sovrin Foundation
- Have a roadmap for launching the Sovrin token
Nicky enlarged on point 3, e.g. making sure that no one is excluded for any reason. Governments and big service providers have to step up to provide universal identity services and a functional digital identity as a basic human right.
Drummond says in chat, “Universal Basic SSI Service is IMHO an amazing concept—underscores “identity as a human right. The idea that SSI could be available to all people just like electricity and telephone service is revolutionary but also makes perfect sense. And Nicky’s insight that we can have it fit into the existing regulatory infrastructure for Universal Service is brilliant.”
Phil Windley spoke about obligations already implied regarding tokens. There is an opportunity to package this up, and to support business needs as they arise. Letting the community move this forward as the need to for purposes they have. Support the diversity of opinions.
pknowles points out that SSI is still in its fledgling stage. This should change dramatically over the next few years. As large industries begin to leverage SSI, the token could emerge naturally.
Kendra asked for clarification. Will there still be a Sovrin Foundation, and also the ToIP Foundation. How will this be organized going forward. Joyce says a large part of the work will likely move over to Linux Foundation or others. Still trying to figure out which parts go where.
Drummond says ToIP is defining the governance stack, giving templates, models and best practices that the Sovrin Foundation can use, and gave detailed examples at various points in the stack. He gave examples, including “findy” for the country of Finland.
Sovrin will do a town hall meeting towards the end of the day tomorrow so the decisions can be more “decentralized.”
