The Value of Onchain Domains, Part 2: Digital Identity and Data Ownership

The term Web3 refers to the next iteration of the internet, but before we dive into what it is, it’s important to take a step back and understand how the internet has evolved over the years.

The original internet, Web1 was primarily an information portal where we as users were simply recipients of information and resources only. Sites contained static pages that rarely changed and were connected to a system of hyperlinks. It is also commonly referred to as the “read-only web” because it lacked the necessary forms, controls and interactivity we’ve grown accustomed to today.

As technology evolved, Web2 introduced convenience and tools for participation in the internet, instead of just being a passive recipient of information. Things like social media, blogging, and mobile apps allowed users to be not only consumers of value, but also producers too. We were able to create usernames, upload content, and create profiles. Each of us currently has dozens, or often hundreds of digital identities today. Every website account, application, social profile, gamertag, phone number, email address etc. is another instance of “digital you”. This can be confusing, risky and overall just a poor user experience.

If you want to change your display name or profile picture you have to do so across each and every account. Although you created all of these versions of “digital you”, you do not own them. Our user data and user-generated content is owned and controlled by the companies that build the platforms we use. In a single click, these platforms can censor you or lock you out of your entire online life. We consumers have become the product to these large tech companies, allowing them to profit from our personal data.

Web3 describes a new, onchain version of the internet where we the users own and are in complete control of our personal data, digital assets, and digital identity. In addition to reading and writing, we are also able to OWN. This is made possible because of blockchain technology.

At Unstoppable, we are facilitating placing domains onchain as a key part of one’s digital identity in this evolving space. An onchain domain, in its simplest form, is a domain name that exists on the blockchain, enabling new functionality and seamless access to hundreds of apps and websites. We believe that people should own their digital identity and have full control of their personal data. Onchain domains enable the user to truly own their digital identity without oversight from a third-party by storing and managing it within their crypto wallet.

There are two important aspects to having full control of your personal data: data sovereignty and data interoperability.

Data sovereignty means you, and only you, are able to decide which apps get access to your data, what data you want to share with those apps and how your data is used. If you don’t want to share your home address and bank account info, you don’t have to!

In today’s internet, you have to opt-out of data sharing. And it’s not always easy to opt-out either.

Think about your Facebook account. It’s like going through a maze just to find out what data they are collecting, but it’s also difficult to figure out how to opt-out of sharing certain data. It should be easy to decide what data to share.

At Unstoppable Domains, we take a different approach. You should be able to opt-in to sharing specific data that you want to. And the power to revoke that access at any time.

We believe that control over your data starts by owning your digital self-sovereign identity. Onchain domains - a powerful self-sovereign data container - makes this possible. So once you own it, it’s yours. No other entity can mess with it or take it away from you!

With an Unstoppable domain, you are able to opt-in to the data you want to store on your onchain domain and the data you want to share with apps.

All the data you store on your onchain domain is your choice, such as your Profile, Badges, and much more!

Web3 enables a new era of interoperability, where you can take your data with you wherever you go. With onchain domains, your data becomes portable, allowing seamless integration across apps and platforms. This freedom to bring your own data ensures a connected and user-centric internet experience.

Data interoperability is the ability to access your private data from the various apps you use and move it freely amongst apps and blockchains.

Moving data across apps was difficult, if not impossible, in Web2 because big tech companies created walled gardens for their solutions. This led to your personal data being locked into application silos. That’s why, for example, your Uber ratings can’t be used on Lyft even though they collect similar types of data. Well, this is going to be a less pressing issue in the future.

Because the onchain internet, Web3, is based on non-custodial solutions (aka the platform doesn’t store your data), data interoperability is possible! We believe your self-sovereign identity, like your onchain, will be able to point to your data across the many apps and services you use. And you can take that data wherever you go using our Login with Unstoppable solution.

Carry your username and data with you, wherever you choose go.

Login with Unstoppable, our single-sign-on service was made so you can securely carry your unique username and data to log into your favorite applications. It supercharges your onchain domain as it enables you to have control over what personal data you share with sites and services.

While wallets are great for storing your digital assets, they can’t identify unique users. And one person can have multiple wallet addresses across the many blockchains. Onchain domains support onchain data, like wallet activity and Badges, and offchain data like email addresses, and much more. And you can associate all your wallets and data with onchain domains and start to BYOD.

In summary, the value of an onchain domain is threefold: it gives you true ownership of your digital identity, control over your personal data with the ability to share and revoke access as you choose, and the freedom of data interoperability, allowing you to seamlessly carry your data across apps and platforms. With an Unstoppable domain, you’re not just participating in the internet—you’re owning your place in its future.

Want to own your online presence? Discover Unstoppable’s onchain domains and embrace the future of the internet today.

1. The Value of Onchain Domains, Part 1: Benefits of Unstoppable’s Onchain Domains
2. The Value of Onchain Domains, Part 2: Digital Identity and Data Ownership