Being in the identity space, and having a product that manages people’s identity, the topic of privacy comes up often. In development of Sxipper we had a goal of making sure we were protecting people’s privacy, not reducing it. Perhaps it is because we are Canadian were privacy is a right, and privacy laws restrict what organizations can do with your personal information. This is in sharp contrast to US privacy laws which are about stating what organizations can do with your personal information. Sxipper’s privacy policy is all about what we will and won’t do with your data, with an emphasis on what we will NOT do.

Discussing this topic has led to questions about when is using someone’s data perceived as a privacy problem and I came up with Dick’s Privacy Guideline. (note there is only one guideline, and yes, I did just make up the name)

If the user is pleasantly surprised or does not notice, the use of identity information is a feature. If the user is unpleasantly surprised, then it is a privacy problem.

For example, if you add a book on Barbados to your Amazon shopping cart, you will see recommendations of books that other people bought that also bought that book. Most people will think this is either a pleasant surprise as they see additional books they are interested in, or not really notice.

Contrast this with buying the book on Barbados on Amazon, and then going to Facebook and seeing an advertisement for a Barbados hotel. This is not a pleasant surprise. You wonder how Facebook found out about your interest in Barbados.

As a guideline, it is a little fuzzy, but we have found it useful when building Sxipper to have a seamless user experience by gathering and remembering identity information while avoiding unpleasant surprises.

No joke. Yes, I am joining Microsoft. For those with questions, I hope to have answered them below:

Q: You’re joining the Borg! Have you sold out?

A: Well, I don’t think I have sold out. I was recruited to Microsoft because I am an independant thinker. I have worked with open source and internet technologies for 15 years — and at ActiveState, bridged the gap between them and Microsoft. There are many people I respect in the identity space that are working at Microsoft, and that are doing “the right thing”.  I will be joining my foo camp friends Jon Udell,  Dana Boyd and of course Ray Ozzie.

Q: But you are an enterpreneur, why go to a big company?

A: I’m am very much an entrepreneur and am pretty risk oblivious — the financial security of a job is not a driver for me, even in the current financial environment — in fact the lower beta and reduction in potential upside is a negative factor. I have been an entrepreneur for a long time. Been there, done that. Lots a failures. A few successes.  I view the opportunity to come in at a senior level and learn how big enterprise and big software works a great learning experience. I’m also excited about changes that are afoot at Microsoft such as Azure and to work beside a bunch of really smart people!

Q: What will you be doing?

A: I will have the title Partner Architect and will be working on consumer, enterprise and government identity problems. My open source, open web and digital community experience will continue to guide my thinking. For me, this is an opportunity to work on the identity problems I have been toiling over for the last six years, but now with massive resources.

Q: But, hey, don’t you use a Mac?

A: Yes. And I will continue to use a Mac as long as I am more productive on that platform. (Hint to Windows 7 team — make me more productive!)

Q: Is Microsoft buying Sxipper / Sxip Identity?

A: No. Microsoft is hiring Dick Hardt.

Q: What’s happening to Sxipper?

A: I will continue on as Chair of Sxipper, Inc. We have a small, dedicated team that will continue to advance the technology and start to find revenue sources so that it can be self sufficient in 2009.

Q: What happened to Sxip Identity?

A: A year ago we were in the midst of numerous discussions for the company to be acquired. Unfortunately those did not transpire and we sold off the Sxip Access product line to Ping and some new SSO technology to TriCipher. A few of our investors were unhappy we did not have a successful exit, and launched a lawsuit which crippled the company. The Sxipper product was sold to Sxipper, Inc. where it has thrived, and Sxip Identity is being wound up.

Q: What will happen to the Identity 2.0 blog?

A: I will continue to blog here, and hope I will be able write more often!

Q: Will you be moving to Redmond?

A: Yes. And yes, my fiance will be joining me. If you are interested in the more personal aspects of the move, check out my Blame Canada post.

Like many other Canadians, I have been entertained by the reality television series: Election 2008. The issue of identity and ability to vote came to mind as it is a widely held belief that this is the basis of Freedom and Democracy. Advance voter registration is required in all states except Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming. North Dakota does not even have advanced voter registration.

In Canada, everyone can register at the polls. Voter registration is a convenience so that you can vote faster. Very Canadian, but it does not stop there. You don’t even need identification in Canada! Yep, you can choose Option 3 where you “Swear an oath and be vouched for by an elector who is on the list of electors in the same polling division and who has an acceptable piece or pieces of identification (e.g. a neighbour, your roommate).” Welcome to Canada!