# Introduction
Identity is the set of characteristics that make someone or something unique, distinguishing them from others in a given context.
These can include physical traits, experiences, relationships, possessions, and other attributes that help us stand out. Being uniquely identifiable is essential for **authentication**, which is the process of proving who you are by validating these unique traits.
A **digital identity** is a collection of attributes that allow individuals to be identified and authenticate themselves online. Everyone has multiple digital identities, each represented by identifiers and unique attributes within specific contexts. Digital identities make it possible to build trust in online transactions and services, without the limitations of the physical world. Effective **identity management systems** are crucial because they ensure we can trust that we’re interacting with the right person or business online.
Currently, most people don’t fully own their digital identities. They have limited control over their personal data and, therefore, cannot authenticate themselves directly. Instead, digital authentication often relies on third-party identity providers, federated identity systems, and biometric verification, all of which can be tedious and invasive. While these systems are important for enabling digital access, they also raise questions about who truly owns and controls our digital identities. Additionally, biometric ID verification is becoming obsolete as AI technology advances, enabling deep fakes and impersonations that undermine its reliability.
In 2016, Christopher Allen proposed **Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)**, a framework with ten principles: existence, control, access, transparency, persistence, portability, interoperability, consent, minimalization, and protection. Over the last decade, a **User-Centric Identity** model based on these principles has gained traction. With the rapid development of AI, traditional third-party models, like federated identities or password-based systems, are becoming outdated. Similarly, biometric ID verification is become obsolete due to the unability to
Fortunately, new technologies and tools are emerging just in time to support this shift. By 2024, we are seeing strong regulatory support and growing adoption of **User-Centric ID** systems. This model involves **Digital ID Credentials** issued by trusted organizations, which users manage directly through a **sovereign ID wallet**. This way, individuals can control when and with whom they share personal information, track their data-sharing history, and exercise their **right to be forgotten**.
Blerify offers a comprehensive **360° Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)** that enables public and private sector organizations to seamlessly interact with **ID Wallets**. Our platform facilitates the **issuance of digital credentials** and provides value-added services such as **notifications, benefits, and vouchers**. To ensure seamless integration, we offer **SDK libraries and API interfaces** that allow **issuers and verifiers** to interact effortlessly with ID Wallets. At Blerify, we provide our own **Blerify ID Wallet**, but we also support organizations seeking a **white-label solution**, enabling them to deploy fully branded ID Wallets tailored to their specific needs.
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.blerify.com/blerify-overview/user-centric-identity/introduction.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.