+ The following section details certain key areas of focus when implementing a + new DID method, or implementing a solution that incorporates DIDs. +
+ ++ The W3C TAG + Ethical Web Principles document is a helpful guide + when weighing ethical considerations of various technologies. +
+ ++ Decentralized Identifiers may come to underpin much of our digital life. This + may include public social and career personas, as well as more private personas + shared among friends and family. Identifiers representing these personas and + relationships may be some of the most important in our lives, so great care + will be taken when choosing an identifier system to support these critical + activities. As with all things, the appropriate and ethical use of technology + will be strongly considered when implementing items related to DIDs. +
+ ++ As noted in the + Principles section of the Ethical Web Principles, there are key goals that + apply to all Web standards and technologies. DIDs are explicitly intended to + help users get closer to several of these goals, especially the following: +
+ The following section reflects the views of some members of the working group. + Additional PRs are welcome from the working group with additional points of view. +
+ +
+ The guiding principle that
+ the
+ web must be an environmentally sustainable platform should be followed.
+
+ When implementing or utilizing a DID method, consideration should be given
+ to the environmental impacts caused by the method.
+
+ Some members of the working group feel it important that the [[DID-RUBRIC]] + include environmental considerations in order that users might appropriately evaluate + and compare relevant aspects of DID methods that might be applicable to their use cases. +
+Many methods minimize environmental impact by leveraging existing infrastructure, such as + the World Wide Web (with did:web) and Bitcoin (with did:btcr and did:ion). When considering any + particular approach, whether creating a new method or selecting among current methods, care + should be taken to distinguish between the marginal impact of the additional use of such + infrastructure as a result of the DID method and the existing impact from current use. For example, + the did:web implementation is unlikely to have a significant additive environmental impact above + and beyond the existing World Wide Web. +
+