Abstract
This paper presents research exploring the balancing of interactive friction and value proposition in the context of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) technology adoption. This work extends a related investigation of a full agency engagement with a User-Centred Data Ecosystem utilising what is described as a Sovereign Boundary Mechanism (SBM). An SBM is a standardised collection of SSI interactions, which can collectively be described as a metaphorical ring of sovereignty between the participant and the wider network. Within this model participants control identity, relationships, credentials, data streams, and access control. This related work concludes that the developing trend poses significant interactive friction, and that clear and substantive value proposition would be required to drive and sustain participant adoption. This paper explores potential value propositions for SSI, considering theory relating to Privacy, Surveillance Capitalism, and Human Data Interaction; in parallel opinions are drawn from the thematic analysis of interviews with experts in the decentralised field and results from a public survey. This research concludes that the value proposition is unlikely to come from the direct perceived protection of privacy. Also, that the decentralised technologies cannot be marketed solely on the fact that it is decentralised. Instead, value will emerge from the capability of SSI functionality to supersede the centralised model, offering innovation and reduced transactional friction across individual, business and wider society. This research suggests that the SSI community needs to develop a cohesive design strategy, a clear narrative and vocabulary. Value needs to be defined across cultural context, while targeting accessible, high value niche opportunities to build momentum toward sustainable adoption.
Highlights
Within a separate paper published within this journal entitled An Accessible Interface Layer for SelfSovereign Identity, the need to balance the significant levels of cognitive load found within Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) interactions with genuine value proposition is discussed at length
The first considered usability and accessibility at the interface layer and asked: Can an interface layer for a decentralised Internet be designed to allow for accessible interaction? And the second considered value proposition and adoption with the question: How might a decentralised Internet provide value, emerge and be adopted? This paper presents the investigation of the latter through the lens of SSI
This research concludes that privacy should be considered as an umbrella term, and that innovations should identify and focus on the specific problems and frictions posed by the centralised model
Summary
Within a separate paper published within this journal entitled An Accessible Interface Layer for SelfSovereign Identity, the need to balance the significant levels of cognitive load found within SSI interactions with genuine value proposition is discussed at length. An interface layer for SSI engagement is a paradigm shift in the way individuals interact with the network. Relationship building and data sharing as part of a wider User-Centred Data Ecosystem (UCDE), present a problematic level of friction, when considered alongside the theories of adoption. The value proposition enabled through SSI has to offer more than decentralisation, more than a vague promise of privacy protection. It has to enable clear, sustainable advantages over its centralised counterparts, or the technology will fail to find widespread adoption.
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