# Identity {% hint style="info" %} **Digital Identity** refers to the collection of information, attributes, and credentials that uniquely identify an individual, organization, or entity in the digital realm. It encompasses all the data that relates to a person’s or entity’s online presence, including usernames, passwords, email addresses, government IDs, biometric data, transaction history, and more. {% endhint %} ## Who Controls the Keys, Controls the Identity Digital identity is essential for accessing services, interacting online, and proving who we are. Today, most digital identities are controlled by centralized entities like Apple, Google, and social media platforms. These corporations store and manage the cryptographic keys that authenticate our identities. While this makes login and verification seamless (like *passkeys* for example), it also raises concerns: **Who ultimately controls these keys?** In many cases, it’s not the individual, but the corporation, which can revoke access, monitor interactions, or even lose control of the keys in a breach. *** ## Digital Identity is High Stakes When centralized companies control your identity, they also control the data associated with it. This centralization presents significant privacy concerns. Personal information tied to your identity—such as transaction history, location, or even biometric data—is stored on their servers. These servers can be accessed by the company, sold to third parties, or targeted by hackers. {% embed url="" %} Digital identities stored in centralized databases are prone to theft and impersonation. If a company’s systems are breached, attackers can steal personal data and impersonate users, leading to identity theft, financial fraud, and loss of access to services. Even advanced methods like biometrics are not immune to such risks if controlled by centralized authorities. *** ## **Security from Intrinsic Humanity** **Human Keys** flip the script by placing control back in the hands of individuals. Instead of relying on a company to manage your identity keys, Human Keys allow you to hold and control your own keys securely. This means that **only you** decide who can access your identity information, and no corporation can revoke or alter your access. By decentralizing identity management through cryptography, Human Keys protect against theft and impersonation. Your identity is tied to your unique human attributes—like biometrics—without needing to reveal sensitive personal data. This prevents unauthorized access while maintaining your privacy. Additionally, with [**zero-knowledge proofs**](/glossary.md#zero-knowledge-proof), you can prove attributes about yourself (e.g., that you are a unique human or of legal age) without exposing the underlying data. *In this new model, your identity is more private, more secure, and fully within your control.* ## Identities will become Nyms As **Human Keys** become adopted, all identities will transform into **nyms**—pseudonymous digital identities that are under the sole control of the individual. This allows users to prove their personhood and other attributes without revealing personal details, preventing centralized overreach and ensuring greater privacy, security, and control over digital lives. --- # 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://developer.holonym.id/concepts/human-keys/identity.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.