Trust DID Web - A DID Method

The spec repository for did:tdw -- Trust DID Web DID method.

Read the spec: https://bcgov.github.io/trustdidweb/

Implementations available:

• Typescript: https://github.com/bcgov/trustdidweb-ts
• Python: https://github.com/bcgov/trustdidweb-py

Abstract

The did:tdw (Trust DID Web) method is an enhancement to the did:web protocol, providing a complementary web-based DID method that addresses limitations of did:web. It's features include the following.

• Ongoing publishing of all DID Document (DIDDoc) versions for a DID instead of, or alongside a did:web DID/DIDDoc.
• Uses the same DID-to-HTTPS transformation as did:web.
• Provides resolvers the full history of the DID using a verifiable chain of updates to the DIDDoc from genesis to deactivation.
• A self-certifying identifier (SCID) for the DID that is globally unique and derived from the initial DIDDoc that enables DID portability, such as moving the DIDs web location (and so the DID string itself) while retaining the DID's history.
• DIDDoc updates include a proof signed by the DID Controller(s) authorized to update the DID.
• An optional mechanism for publishing "pre-rotation" keys to prevent loss of control of the DID in cases where an active private key is compromised.
• DID URL path handling that defaults (but can be overridden) to automatically resolving <did>/path/to/file by using a comparable DID-to-HTTPS translation as for the DIDDoc.
• A DID URL path <did>/whois that defaults to automatically returning (if published by the DID controller) a Verifiable Presentation containing Verifiable Credentials with the DID as the credentialSubject, signed by the DID.

Combined, the additional features enable greater trust and security without compromising the simplicity of did:web. The incorporation of the DID Core compatible "/whois" path, drawing inspiration from the traditional WHOIS protocol, offers an easy to use, decentralized, trust registry. This did:tdw aims to establish a more trusted and secure web environment by providing robust verification processes and enabling transparency and authenticity in the management of decentralized digital identities.

Contributing to the Specification

Pull requests (PRs) to this repository may be accepted. Each commit of a PR must have a DCO (Developer Certificate of Origin - https://github.com/apps/dco) sign-off. This can be done from the command line by adding the -s (lower case) option on the git commit command (e.g., git commit -s -m "Comment about the commit").

Rendering and reviewing the spec locally for testing requires npm and node installed. Follow these steps:

• Fork and locally clone the repository.
• Install node and npm.
• Run npm install from the root of your local repository.
• Edit the spec documents (in the /spec folder).
• Run npm run render'
  • Use npm run edit to interactively edit, render and review the spec.
• Review the resulting index.html file in a browser.

The specification is currently in Spec-Up format. See the Spec-Up Documentation for a list of Spec-Up features and functionality.