Re: [EXT] California - Verifiable Credentials

Kaliya, this is great news, and congrats on the progress you and your allies are driving in California. It’s huge.

I do have one worry about what I’m reading below. I know this is not a new worry to any of us living SSI and decentralized identity on a daily basis, but I figured it is still worth at least raising the question. It is the phrases “by adding blockchain-based forms of fraud prevention” and “to identify and promote blockchain pilot programs”.

As those of us in the industry know, decentralized identity no more depends on blockchain than the electrical grid depends on nuclear reactors. Like nuclear power for electricity, blockchain is ONE potential component for decentralized digital trust infrastructure. But is not essential and — for some solutions — not desirable.

So I worry that groundbreaking legislation like what you are achieving in California is using wording that is going to send the wrong message to other jurisdictions about what decentralized identity and trust infrastructure is really about.

I’m curious what you and the others behind this initiative are thinking about that.

Again, great work, and seriously great progress.

=Drummond

From: Kaliya Identity Woman <kaliya@identitywoman.net>
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 4:12 PM
To: Credentials Community Group <public-credentials@w3.org>
Subject: [EXT] California - Verifiable Credentials
HI CCG,

 I wanted to share more good news for California related to Verifiable Credentials in a report from the Governor called Towards Responsible Innovation<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbusiness.ca.gov%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F12%2FTowardsResponsibleInnovation_221202.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Cdrummond.reed%40gendigital.com%7Cd8a97de830f741b74eec08dad97a08a3%7C94986b1d466f4fc0ab4b5c725603deab%7C0%7C0%7C638061415540382111%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cc7BxvcVGk8PI6xtlAbEqmz42lSADYM%2FW3sfNqforvo%3D&reserved=0>.

 Page 1
 • Government Services and Verifiable Credentials
Page 23
DMV Verifiable Credentials
The DMV is also exploring improvements to state-issued credentials. Potential use cases include taking existing forms, placards, licenses, or other physical products issued by the DMV, and enhancing and/or reinventing them by adding blockchain-based forms of fraud prevention. Digital signatures and other verification procedures could be used to ensure that issuing and tracking these types of products is safer and more efficient. In late 2022 and early 2023, the DMV anticipates proving the utility of these use cases by piloting new disabled placards, new credentials for tracking driver safety courses, and driver’s licenses.
page 27
Explore and develop more government use cases.
The public sector may be able to utilize blockchain technology to increase efficiencies, improve access to services, and reduce costs. • GovOps will continue working with state agencies and other levels of government to identify and promote blockchain pilot programs, similar to those now underway at the DMV.



State of California Releases Interagency Web3, Crypto Asset and Blockchain Progress Report



In May 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-9-22<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbusiness.us18.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D3da1cf062778afecadd465143%26id%3D05490a31b3%26e%3D8953aa4fe7&data=05%7C01%7Cdrummond.reed%40gendigital.com%7Cd8a97de830f741b74eec08dad97a08a3%7C94986b1d466f4fc0ab4b5c725603deab%7C0%7C0%7C638061415540382111%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cVckEYkRAzj8MwyrNkobFurYZsdwuZvH5fgqQgVCrDo%3D&reserved=0> to ensure California engages early and proactively with this nascent industry with the goal of ensuring continued consumer protections, innovation, job growth, advancing equity and regulatory clarity, among other strategic outcomes.

This interagency blockchain progress report<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbusiness.us18.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D3da1cf062778afecadd465143%26id%3Dc4150ebdd3%26e%3D8953aa4fe7&data=05%7C01%7Cdrummond.reed%40gendigital.com%7Cd8a97de830f741b74eec08dad97a08a3%7C94986b1d466f4fc0ab4b5c725603deab%7C0%7C0%7C638061415540382111%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HDLQCb0yb%2Fz6OPNx3DbDlDiw5G3NYx%2F1AablmrMAy%2BI%3D&reserved=0> - authored by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and the Government Operations Agency - reflects the administration's work to implement the executive order over the last seven months, beginning with stakeholder meetings that took place over the summer.

Additional administration activities included the advancement of public use cases, and progress towards regulatory clarity. This foundation of work has positioned California to accomplish the goals set forth in the Executive Order and to realize the opportunities blockchain technologies provide to our residents.