Ryan Gray, writing at ryangray.co:
Of course, you can easily share one of your cards with anyone nearby (and get theirs). But a shared card is not just sent once. It’s a subscription. If you change your phone number or if you move you’ll be able to push the updates out to anyone who is subscribed. You’ll also be able to block anyone, revoke access, or prevent someone from sharing your card. Conversely you’ll be able to upgrade to the next level. For example if you become close friends with a coworker, they’ll be able to request access to the Close Friends version of your card. You’ll also be in control of what of your information can be shared with third party developers.
This article hits on a great concept – a better way to share your contact information with others that keeps you in control of that information, and also keeps your information up to date as it changes. Ryan Gray wants a privacy-oriented tech company (Apple) to come up with a cross-platform and centralized solution.
I love the idea, but worry that something like this wouldn’t gain enough traction. My contact information is half of the equation. The organization of my own list of contacts is the other half. My contact list is filled with duplicates and outdated data, as well as contacts I haven’t touched in 20 years. If the people in my contact list don’t embrace or trust a system like this, I’m not much better off. But we have to start somewhere, and this is the best idea I’ve heard.
