Botids

Botids are identifiers assigned to automated agents operating on digital platforms. They are used to distinguish bots from human users and to provide a persistent reference across logs, APIs, and analytics. The term can refer to any standardized identifier used for bots, ranging from simple internal handles to more widely recognized IDs.

A BotID typically comprises a unique alphanumeric string and may include components such as a vendor prefix, a bot type, and a version tag. BotIDs are often issued by a BotID registry or platform authority after bot registration and, in some cases, verification of ownership or compliance with defined policies. Depending on the system, BotIDs can be temporary or revocable and may be tied to metadata about capabilities or permissions.

Uses and benefits include governance and accountability by making automated actions traceable to a known entity. They support rate limiting, content moderation, and policy enforcement, and facilitate attribution for automated services. In ecosystems with multiple providers, BotIDs can act as interoperable identifiers that platforms recognize across services.

Security and privacy considerations involve concerns about surveillance, de-anonymization, and abuse if IDs are linked to sensitive data. Best practices include minimizing data exposure, issuing pseudonymous IDs, providing revocation and audit logs, and separating bot identification from human identity where possible.

Relation to related concepts: BotIDs are distinct from user IDs or API keys, though some systems reuse credentials to authorize bot actions. They may resemble service accounts or API tokens in function but are focused on the unique identity of automated agents.