Pseudonyms¶
What it is useful for¶
Pseudonyms are useful for: - Protecting user privacy in online platforms - Allowing anonymous participation in discussions or transactions - Maintaining consistent identities across multiple services without revealing personal information - Compliance with data protection regulations that require data minimization
Example¶
In a social media platform, a user might choose the pseudonym "SunflowerDreamer" instead of using their real name "Jane Smith". This allows Jane to participate in discussions while maintaining her privacy.
General Properties¶
Uniqueness within a given context.
Consistency (the same entity always uses the same pseudonym in a given context).
Reversibility (optional, depending on the system's requirements).
Non-linkability to the real identity (without additional information).
Requirements¶
IT-Wallet MUST be able to generate or assign unique pseudonyms.
The pseudonym SHOULD NOT contain information that directly reveals the entity's real identity.
The system SHOULD maintain a secure mapping between pseudonyms and real identities (if reversibility is required).
The pseudonym generation process SHOULD be resistant to guessing attacks.
Implementation Considerations¶
IT-Wallet MUST use a pseudonym format that balances uniqueness, readability, and security.
IT-Wallet MUST implement a secure method for generating and storing pseudonyms.
IT-Wallet SHOULD use different pseudonyms for the same entity across different contexts to prevent cross-context linking.
IT-Wallet SHOULD implement access controls to protect the mapping between pseudonyms and real identities.
IT-Wallet SHOULD implements policies for pseudonym rotation or expiration.