[zorrolovsky]

And we all know how things go from there. First, eID is implemented as "just another, more convenient way to log in to your online services". Then, private organizations get pressure to implement eID (through soft power or legislation). Major forums and news websites adopt eID. As the user base grows, legacy semi-anonymous ID systems get decommissioned progressively (i.e. simple email). Now every action you perform on the Internet, and every opinion you post is directly tied to your legal ID. Authorities can use that to prosecute dissenters, oppress voices and narratives contrary to their interests. The bad guys will still have their spaces as they will use their own tech. Call me a conspiracist, cynic or pessimistic, but in some countries like the UK people are getting police visits for having the wrong opinion on Twitter. We're giving authoritarians way too much space and tools for oppression. We're building a shitty world where the powerful class will have even more power to do as they wish, and the man in the street have less and less rights and tools to fight against power.

[wkat4242]

Yeah this is exactly the problem I have with it. Anonymity is great.

[isodev]

What anonymity? eID is used by government services (which already know who you are because they issue your ID in the first place) and 3rd parties which rely on this identity. They only get access to data they need, you always have overview and control of it, right to be forgotten etc.

[wkat4242]

Yes but it enables services like facebook to do ID validation on everyone. It'll be much harder to stay anonymous because it removes a barrier to identifying oneself.

It starts with the government's own services but random third party operators are not ruled out, this is a fundamental building block for an "internet access pass" for all but the most niche sites like this one.

Right now Facebook only asks for ID in case of obvious fake names, because it's a huge barrier to ask people to send theirs just to create an account. This should remain a barrier.

[isodev]

If we end up in a dystopia, that won't be because of eID. I'd say "vote better" but eventually, technology can't protect or solve human problems.