What's something you wish your ID could do?
Hey there, Manuel from Nomadful here. In preparation for our upcoming launch, I wanted to open up the conversation with this simple question, all ideas welcome! I'll start with a couple of things I wish my ID could do/have:
Personalisation: It's 2025, and it's hard to think of a future where personalisation isn't key. What if I could control what I want my ID to show based on the current situation. (For example, if I need to confirm my age to access a concert venue, do I really want security staff checking on my address or nationality?)
Universal usage: Why can't we just use one ID for multiple things? Wouldn't it be useful to have some utility help you login or autofill data online based on that same ID?
Privacy: What if IDs could really be bulletproof, and never leave your phone? If stolen, that sensitive data would be gone so no one could use it against you. (Although we would still need some kind of physical copy for backups).
While I can't just yet reveal the final product, I can assure you we're building something towards these goals: a privacy-focused, digital medical ID that will definitely change the health industry for years. But we're also scaling these product to developers, restaurants and venues, to make a comprehensive authentication system.
What's your take on this?
Replies
ID should serve as identificator you are a real person (not AI) and for authentication.
Situation from 2 days ago – I reinstalled Authy app without backup, and I couldn't get into my accounts (bank accounts included because it was necessary to upload 2FA, which I lost). So I contacted support, and they asked for my ID card, and I had to scan my face as well. I found it pretty valuable.
Nomadful
@busmark_w_nika It's indeed valuable, since you can always rest assured no one will access your sensitive data or accounts without that genuine, humane authentication.
@manuelzarroca Also, a few months ago, I would have been okay to provide ID card in ProductHunt for verification because there used to be a lot of bots :D
Nomadful
@busmark_w_nika Yeah, part of validating an ID card or document is making the process to get it more humane to avoid those ugly bots. With this I mean: adding step-by-step processes, making human-friendly and "bot-confusing" designs, and that way it's easy for us to get IDs and verify our identity. Nowadays I like to think of being human as our added value!
@manuelzarroca I like to think of being human as our added value! – I share your POV with you.
Love the angle you’re exploring here, Manuel.
From my side, one thing I wish IDs could do is adapt to context without overexposing information. Like, why should age verification mean handing over an entire identity? I also think there’s a massive gap when it comes to trustless validation where my ID could be verified without actually sharing the data itself.
And honestly, the friction between digital convenience and data privacy still feels unresolved. Everyone’s trying to digitize identity, but few are getting the human side of it right control, clarity, and comfort.
Excited to see what you're building this space needs people who are rethinking it from first principles.
Nomadful
@priyanka_gosai1 Exactly! Why should someone share their home address, blood type or other sensitive data just to tell someone at a concert venue or a bar that they're well over 18 or 21? And you're totally right, the way we handle this sensitive information isn't at all careful. We're building an approach for what you're telling here: a digital ID that never leaves your phone (like, never ever), and a user interface with checkmarks, so you can pick what you want to share when you need to share it. Can't wait to share this launch with you!