Identifkatie

Identifkatie is a term encountered in discussions of digital identity and privacy governance. It denotes a model or approach to confirming a person's claimed identity or attributes in online and cross-device contexts, with an emphasis on minimizing disclosed information and enhancing user control. The term is not standardized in formal identity standards and appears primarily in academic, industry, and policy discourse as a descriptive concept rather than a prescriptive protocol.

Core concepts of identifkatie include the verification of identity attributes (such as age or eligibility) while limiting data exposure, consent-driven data sharing, and the use of privacy-preserving technologies. Practitioners may combine traditional signals (credentials, device attestations) with cryptographic proofs that demonstrate possession of attributes without revealing underlying data. Decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials (VCs) are sometimes cited as enabling technologies within identifkatie workflows, enabling user-centric control over what is disclosed.

Applications of identifkatie span online account provisioning, access control, anti-fraud measures, and regulatory compliance where selective disclosure is advantageous. In practice, it may support streamlined user experiences across platforms, while aligning with privacy-by-design principles.

Critiques focus on the potential for misinterpretation, inconsistent implementation, and residual privacy risks if governance, consent, and data minimization are not robust. Critics also warn against overreliance on automated signals that can perpetuate bias or misidentify individuals.

See also: identification, authentication, identity verification, privacy-preserving identity, zero-knowledge proof, verifiable credentials, decentralized identifiers.