Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain.  This gives it the freedom to pursue different policies than the Spanish government.  What we are seeing could be a precursor to the ways governments operate in the future.  

With the world becoming more digitized, not only are governments going to be open to experimenting, they are going to be forced into it.  There will come a day when people have a choice of what laws they prefer to operate under.  While it is impossible to guess how long it will take, there will be a time when geographic location is secondary.

As we evolve into a new era of the Internet, one that become ubiquitous in our lives, a digital identification system is going to be vital.  The age of decentralization means that people need to have control over their identities separate from governments and greedy corporations.  Thus far, while humanity was given a lot by the development of the Internet, it did spring the era of surveillance capitalism.

The foundation for the ending of this practice could be just around the corner.  Catalonia might be one of those governments that helps to foster in this new era.

https://images.cointelegraph.com/images/740_aHR0cHM6Ly9zMy5jb2ludGVsZWdyYXBoLmNvbS9zdG9yYWdlL3VwbG9hZHMvdmlldy9mYjRkYzg1NzEzYWY4NTY0M2EwMjYwZWUzN2JkMzIzMi5qcGc=.jpg

IdentiCat is a decentralized I.D. system that the government is looking to implement.  Unlike most governments, this is being done for the sake of the population and not the government.  

>“Now it's time to lead the digital revolution. We speak of an entrepreneurial society that is attentive to social novelties and innovations. The aim of this government is to put people at the center of their policies, also the digital ones.”

The idea behind this is for citizens to decide what data they share with the government and third parties.  According to what is being reported, this will not be a full-blown way to ID citizens.  It will be, instead, used to access digital services and the like.

>“Some will want to question the project because they may be scared to empower people, let's be a country moving forward. Because they know that when we empower people we are an unstoppable country. [...] The republic we want is one that empowers citizens, not that it controls them, represses them or treats them as digital merchandise.”

https://cointelegraph.com/news/catalonia-announces-a-decentralized-id-system-the-govt-wont-control

This is wonderful news if it is true.  I have no idea the validity of this project.  Governments might have exaggerated a statement or two over the years so I am taking the "wait and see" approach with this.

What it does show, however, is the fact that people are looking in this direction.  It might take a few years before we even have a working prototype of something.  While I am encouraged to see a government take the action, I am leery.  My preference is something that is done without a centralized entity behind.

Nevertheless, a step forward is a step forward.  We are seeing a new approach by many governments who are trying to take advantage of the digital shift.  Smaller countries are attempting to usurp the larger ones who are hanging onto the old paradigm.  Will their resistance come back to bite them?  We can only speculate but it is interesting to note that, for the first time in history, we see a realistic threat to what is considered "normal" in the approach governments have.

The tide could be turning.  Ultimately, I feel we are going to see a full-blown digital ID system that is not under the control of any government or corporation.  Just like humanity, via the innovation of Satoshi, found a way to own its money, we will do the same with our identities.

As development goes, so does our future.  It is good to see there are people working on this situation. 

We will be better off once we see a breakthrough in this area.  It is the key to financial freedom along with a host of other ones.
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![image.png](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmYRwbaYkV7kubaAqefvGi6kxW25EdzUdZRP8XWsRWXKTj)

Image from article cited.