Chris, Signing with a private key proves that the data was signed with that key. If the key is tied to a registry of identity information with sufficient attestations, you can prove the identity of the signer. However, if the key is compromised, a modified version of the data could be signed and you'd have no way of telling which is the correct copy. If you sign and anchor the data to the Bitcoin blockchain, you now have a proof that can't be replicated without altering the blockchain. A Chainpoint proof also gives you an approximate timestamp for the publication of the data. You can also do some neat tricks with hierarchal deterministic keys to prove that a collection of signed items are related.
Received on Tuesday, 29 November 2016 04:54:50 UTC