Richard Esplin
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esplinr.bsky.social
Richard Esplin
@esplinr.bsky.social
97 followers 150 following 170 posts
Professional focus: self-sovereign identity, product management
Interests: open source, open culture, outdoors, religion, flourishing
Tweets reflect my own opinions and are not official statements from my employer
Posts Replies Media Videos
esplinr.bsky.social
Not all #digitalID is dystopian. Next week my team will host a free "Intro to Decentralized ID" workshop where we will explain how #digitalidentity can be user-centric and privacy-preserving. We'll cover the basics and provide time to answer questions.

Register here:
www.dock.io/introduction...
Banner for a Dock Labs Live Event: Introduction to Decentralized ID October 9th at 9am PDT | 5pm WEST
October 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
Here is a recent discussion the mDL standard (ISO 18013) and #onlineprivacy. Andrew Hughes and Ryan Williams shared insights from developing and implementing the standard. We discussed the concerns from the #NoPhoneHome statement and how privacy will improve in the future versions.

#digitalidentity
September 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
I appreciated this thorough but digestible breakdown of the recent #Utah legislation restricting children's use of digital devices and apps in app stores. I still have concerns, but I'm better informed because of @familytech.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbC_...

#onlinesafety #kids
WARNING New Tech Laws Could Affect Your Family's Safety
YouTube video by Family Tech
www.youtube.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:33 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
Trump's CFBP will reconsider Rule 1033 on Open Banking “with a view to substantially revis[e] it and provid[e] a robust justification.”

Another loss for the average American against big business.

#openfinance #opendata
The Future of the CFPB Open Banking Rule Remains…Open
On July 29, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) stated in a legal briefing that it has decided to reconsider an agency rule “with a view to substantially revis[e] it and provid[e] a ...
natlawreview.com
August 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
An excellent guide to #t-mobile 's changes to their #privacy policy:
ozamora.com/2025/07/t-mo...

tl;dr: #tmobile is not one of the good guys
⚠️ T-Mobile’s 2025 Privacy Overhaul — What You Need to Know and Do Now
T-Mobile’s August 2025 policy overhaul introduces deeper data tracking, tighter dispute limits, and expanded post-cancellation contact. This guide outlines key changes and actionable steps customer…
ozamora.com
July 22, 2025 at 10:39 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
I am excited that next week I will be attending Netbr Overflow in São Paulo, Brazil. I'm going to learn the latest #identity best practices from some of #LATAM 's technology leaders.

www.netbr.com.br/overflow-sao...

Let me know if you are in the area and would like to meet up!

#IAM
#Brasil
June 18, 2025 at 1:57 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
I'm in Berlin and excited for the start of #EIC2025. Today I'm practicing my talk for Wednesday on #VerifiableCredentials and #Biometrics. I hope to see you there! Anyone willing to join me for a morning run?
esplinr.bsky.social Richard Esplin @esplinr.bsky.social · Feb 20
My talk is accepted at the Kuppinger Cole European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC 2025).

www.kuppingercole.com/sessions/584...

Let me know if you'll be in Berlin in May. I would love to meet up and discuss #DigitalIdentity and #Biometrics.
A screen shot from the web site for the European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC) 2025, showing a session titled "Biometrics and Verifiable Credentials: Balancing Security and Privacy" on Wednesday, May 07, 2025 12:05—12:25. The abstract says: "Biometric providers are facing new challenges as regulations governing biometric data become stricter and organizations try to extend their biometric enabled business processes across ecosystems of partners. Verifiable credentials are an effective way to move data between organizations, but relying parties often require assurances that the presenter of the credential is the same person who received it. Biometrics solve this problem, but identity practitioners should be cautious that the way they integrate biometrics does not undermine the privacy and flexibility offered by credentials. In this presentation, we share best practices for integrating biometrics and verifiable credentials to meet real world problems." The presenter is: Richard Esplin Head of Product Dock Labs AG The start of the bio says: "Richard Esplin is a seasoned product leader specializing in digital identity, open source software, and enterprise solutions. Currently serving as Head of Product at Dock, he leads product..." The URL is: https://www.kuppingercole.com/sessions/5844/1
May 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
I can't claim any special expertise, but for 20+ years I've laughed about this article from @theonion.com :

theonion.com/congress-thr...

The punchline is here:

www.latimes.com/archives/la-...

And the story continues:

www.chicagotribune.com/2002/06/13/c...
April 1, 2025 at 6:17 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
An interesting discussion about #Amazon 's plans for adopting mDLs in 2025.

I found his point about VC's enabling self-serve account recovery to be very interesting.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYFe...

#digitalidentity
Why Amazon is Doubling Down on Digital Credentials, mDLs and EUDI [Live Event]
YouTube video by Dock Labs
www.youtube.com
March 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
The latest video by @cogitoyt.bsky.social taught me a lot about the exploitation of Puerto Rico by the United States. It's so much worse than I expected.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sPR...
Puerto Rico Is Dying: Here's Why
YouTube video by Cogito
www.youtube.com
March 5, 2025 at 10:04 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
On top of all the other damage these antics do to our democracy, it's maddening to see DOGE training people to respond to phishing emails.
diffusedwavelength.bsky.social Everything’s ungodly @diffusedwavelength.bsky.social · Feb 25
Don’t know what to make of this:
February 25, 2025 at 3:15 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
My talk is accepted at the Kuppinger Cole European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC 2025).

www.kuppingercole.com/sessions/584...

Let me know if you'll be in Berlin in May. I would love to meet up and discuss #DigitalIdentity and #Biometrics.
A screen shot from the web site for the European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC) 2025, showing a session titled "Biometrics and Verifiable Credentials: Balancing Security and Privacy" on Wednesday, May 07, 2025 12:05—12:25. The abstract says: "Biometric providers are facing new challenges as regulations governing biometric data become stricter and organizations try to extend their biometric enabled business processes across ecosystems of partners. Verifiable credentials are an effective way to move data between organizations, but relying parties often require assurances that the presenter of the credential is the same person who received it. Biometrics solve this problem, but identity practitioners should be cautious that the way they integrate biometrics does not undermine the privacy and flexibility offered by credentials. In this presentation, we share best practices for integrating biometrics and verifiable credentials to meet real world problems." The presenter is: Richard Esplin Head of Product Dock Labs AG The start of the bio says: "Richard Esplin is a seasoned product leader specializing in digital identity, open source software, and enterprise solutions. Currently serving as Head of Product at Dock, he leads product..." The URL is: https://www.kuppingercole.com/sessions/5844/1
February 20, 2025 at 4:46 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
Another problem with #GoogleChrome during meetings with #GoogleMeet: sharing my screen will sometimes throw a generic error. Trying again doesn't help, I have to close the window and rejoin the meeting.

I haven't yet detected a pattern. Anyone else seeing this on #Linux ?

#TechHelp
A screenshot of an error pop-up in Google Meet which says: "Can't share your screen Sorry, an error has occurred when screensharing. Please try again." Followed by a button labelled "Dismiss"
February 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
Is anyone else seeing lots of zombie #chrome processes on #Ubuntu #Linux? The number of processes seems correlated to the number of meetings I've held with #Google Meet since my last reboot.

Any tips?
February 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
Ridgetop Research hires me for a consulting gig. Their fine print says they partner with Dots.dev for payments. "Please note there is a 3% processing fee that is applied to each payment."

What‽ You are charging me to receive the money you owe me‽
#DoNotRecommend
January 25, 2025 at 4:56 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
The most relatable character in the #StarWars universe is middle-aged Ben Kenobi: jaded, cynical, disillusioned, out-of-shape, afraid, and disappointed in his student. I assure my kids that they will one day appreciate his courage to leave the cave and do his duty when sufficiently cajoled.
January 10, 2025 at 5:47 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
This argument in favor of #tariffs was more informative than I expected:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LJi...

Lots to think about.
Tariffs Are Even More Powerful Than You Think
YouTube video by Maxinomics
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
In #151 of Darknet Diaries, @jackrhysider.bsky.social asks whether content warnings are useful. When I listen to the podcast in the same room as my kids, they often enjoy the stories. Your warnings help me know when to screen an episode before sharing. Please continue. Thank you for a great podcast!
December 31, 2024 at 2:35 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
Every member of a #tech team can benefit from @blackgirlbytes.bsky.social 's sagacious advice for #career growth.
December 20, 2024 at 1:10 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
That was an insightful talk about #opensource strategy and how to build a defensible business. It has lots of instructive examples. Thanks for sharing!
sogrady.org steve o’grady @sogrady.org · Dec 13
this slide makes me feel feelings
A slide from Adam Jacob's "Reimagining OSS Licensing" talk from CloudNative StartupFest that reads "Open Source is so successful you no longer need to know what it means: it's like Flouride in the water"
December 13, 2024 at 3:38 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
We posted a short video explaining our new cloud storage for our #digitalidentity wallet. In 2025, we are going to use this cloud wallet as the foundation for making identity easier for people.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=59YJ...
Credential Recovery Demo: Ensuring Seamless Access to Your Digital Credentials, Anywhere
YouTube video by Dock
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2024 at 6:57 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
This story is a great example of how to have influence in a collaborative industry.

#opensource
jonobacon.bsky.social Jono Bacon @jonobacon.bsky.social · Dec 3
18 years ago...one of our competitors (RedHat) did something that blew my mind...and I still think about it today...

...it is an amazing example of a surprising approach to building trust and engagement.

Here is the story:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bom2...
December 3, 2024 at 11:41 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
I think we are getting better at explaining how verifiable credentials solve current #digitalidentity problems, as shown in minute 5 to 15 of this presentation:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXhX...
How IDVs can fix entity resolution and customer data matching to reduce onboarding friction
YouTube video by Dock
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2024 at 6:20 PM
esplinr.bsky.social
Considering that buying plane tickets to the UK might be easier than waiting two months to see #Paddington in Peru.
November 21, 2024 at 2:24 AM
esplinr.bsky.social
But projects on #Telgram baffle me. Aside from the annoying interface, the system is designed for scams and spam.

Maybe that's why so many #cryptocurrency projects are there.
November 16, 2024 at 12:20 AM