DID vs OpenID Connect: What are the differences?

Introduction

DID (Decentralized Identifiers) and OpenID Connect are both technologies related to digital identity and authentication. While they have overlapping functionalities, there are key differences between the two that distinguish their use cases and implementation.

1. DID: Decentralized Identifiers are persistent identifiers that are globally unique and self-sovereign. They are designed to give individuals control over their digital identity and allow interoperability across different systems. DIDs are typically stored on a blockchain or distributed ledger technology, ensuring immutability and security. They enable verifiable claims and provide a foundation for digital trust ecosystems.

2. OpenID Connect: OpenID Connect is an authentication layer built on top of the OAuth 2.0 protocol. It allows users to authenticate with an identity provider (IdP) and obtain an access token that can be used to access protected resources. OpenID Connect provides user identity information in the form of ID tokens, which contain claims about the user. These tokens are digitally signed by the IdP and can be used by relying parties to verify the authenticity of the user's identity.

3. DID vs OpenID Connect: One of the fundamental differences between DID and OpenID Connect lies in the concept of decentralization. DIDs are decentralized identifiers that are not owned or controlled by any central authority, giving individuals full control over their identity. On the other hand, OpenID Connect relies on a centralized identity provider to authenticate users, which introduces a level of trust and dependency on the provider.

4. DID: DIDs are designed to support self-sovereign identity, meaning individuals have complete control over their identity data and can selectively disclose it as needed. This enables privacy and minimizes the risk of personal data being mishandled or exploited. In contrast, OpenID Connect involves sharing identity information with a centralized identity provider, which may raise privacy concerns.

5. OpenID Connect: OpenID Connect focuses on providing a seamless and user-friendly authentication experience. It leverages well-known identity providers, such as Google or Facebook, allowing users to use their existing accounts to authenticate with different applications. DIDs, on the other hand, do not mandate any specific identity provider and provide a more flexible framework for identity management.

6. DID vs OpenID Connect: DIDs are designed to support interoperability across different systems and domains. They are not tied to a specific technology or platform, making it easier to integrate with diverse ecosystems. OpenID Connect, while enabling cross-application authentication, relies on specific protocols and technologies, which may limit its interoperability in certain contexts.

In summary, DID and OpenID Connect differ in their approach to decentralization, control over identity, privacy, authentication experience, flexibility, and interoperability. DID focuses on self-sovereign identity, decentralized control, and interoperability, while OpenID Connect emphasizes seamless authentication with centralized identity providers.