Yoqm

Yoqm is a hypothetical framework described in academic discussions and design fiction that explores privacy-preserving digital identity and interoperable data exchange. It is not a deployed product but serves as a model for evaluating how modular components, cryptography, and governance could interact in a decentralized environment.

The term Yoqm appears to be a coined label rather than an established acronym; different authors have treated it as a neutral project name in speculative scenarios.

Concept and architecture: Yoqm envisions separate layers for identity, data, and trust. It emphasizes user control over credentials, selective disclosure via zero-knowledge proofs, and verifiable attestations. A decentralized registry provides metadata while enabling off-chain storage, with cryptographic proofs ensuring data integrity without revealing content.

Development history and usage: The concept arose in the early 2020s within discussions about self-sovereign identity and data portability. It has appeared in theoretical analyses and prototype demonstrations, but there is no standard specification or broad deployment.

Reception and limitations: Proponents highlight Yoqm's potential to clarify design tradeoffs between privacy and interoperability. Critics point to regulatory complexity, performance concerns, and the danger of oversimplifying real-world identity workflows.