Through the Blockstack Browser you can create an identity. You use this single identity to log into applications that allow you to **Login with Blockstack**. Your identity is also your
In today's Internet, an account you create to use an applications stays with the company providing that app. This company keeps data you enter about yourself and collects data about how you use their application. This data is valuable and companies use your data to attract advertises. If you stop using that application and close your account, the company retains your data because even old data has value.
Companies combine data from different applications you visit to build a profile of you. This profile lets them target you for particular information and craft your experience of it. For example, an advertiser can determine if you might be interested in a product and _how much they can charge you for it_. In return for allowing this subtle messaging to you and lack of privacy, you receive a free application or service.
A decentralized identity is a new way to use applications without surrendering your data. A, _decentralized identity_ is a combination of username and key. The data associated with that identity stays with it, this means big companies, their applications or central authorities cannot build data profiles about you. You remain private.
A Blockstack ID is a decentralized identity. You use this single identity to log into decentralized applications (DApps) that present the **Login with Blockstack** button. A single identity gives you access to 100s of applications. When you log into a DApp, you create data but that data is encrypted and stored with your identity. When you log out of an application, the application no longer can read that data so it can't make use of it to build up a profile of you or sell your data to other companies. Your privacy is preserved.
Think of the ID as a form of identification, like a drivers license. Like drivers' licenses, each identity is unique, but this license identifies you on the virtual internet highway. An identity is created through a registrar of which there are many. When you create a Blockstack ID, your registrar records the identity creation on the Stacks blockchain.
The Blockstack Browser allows new users to create free IDs. These free IDs have included the word `blockstack` in the ID, like this `meepers.id.blockstack`. The additional `blockstack` portion of the name is called a _namespace_. It just means all the names belong to a particular entity. You don't have to use a free `id.blockstack` identity.
This first Blockstack ID you create is a _primary ID_. Once you create a primary identity, you can add other, sub-identities to it. Sub-identities can have the `id.blockstack` or the `.id` format. You might created sub-identities for the same reason you have a work and home email.
If you want a primary identity without the `blockstack` namespace in it, you can buy one. An example of purchased ID is the `larry.id` ID. The `.id` designation is required, the `larry` portion is a unique string.
Blockstack IDs have keys. These key unlock your identity like opening the door to a private
home. You should keep your ID secret and in a safe place. Blocktack creates your identity key for you. There are two pieces of important information associated with your key:
* The key itself also called the _magic recovery key_ which is a sequence of words `applied binge crisp pictorial fiery dancing agreeable frogs light finish ping apple`
* The _secret recovery code_ an encrypted string, for example, `36mWivFdy0YPH2z31EflpQz/Y0UMrOrJ++lH=0EI7c3mop2JuRBm5W1P0BwXxSTazJsUjOAmC55rFUWINqDqGccLio0iwzGclAhaHGZQ5M52`
When you create Blockstack ID, Blockstack sends you an email with a recovery code you can use to view your key. You receive the recovery code only once. When you get this email, You should
An ID is recorded on the Blockstack's blockchain; For this reason, once you create an identity, you can’t delete it. You can abandon or simply stop using your ID. Estranged identities like this can’t be used by another person or organization because only you have access to the ID's 12 word recovery phrase.
However, you **can delete** the data associated with your ID. Storage deletion is *only possible* if you used that ID with the default Blockstack Gaia storage hub. If your ID used your own or another Gaia storage hub, Blockstack cannot delete the data, instead, you should contact your storage hub provider for that service.
Do the following to delete the default storage provided with your ID.
1. Log into the Blockstack Browser.
2. Choose <ahref="https://browser.blockstack.org/profiles/i/all"target="_blank"><strong>Identity > More page</strong></a>.
This page lists your **Default ID** and any other IDs associated with it. Each ID has a Gaia storage location associated with it. You may just have one ID, that is typical.
3. Make sure you are using <ahreg="https://browser.blockstack.org/account/storage"target="_blank">the default storage hub</a>.
If you are using the default hub, the page looks like this:
4. Visit the <ahref="https://browser.blockstack.org/profiles"target="_blank"><strong>Identity</strong></a> page on your browser.
7. Email the list of IDs to <ahref='mailto:support@blockstack.com'>support@blockstack.com</a>, the content of your email should contain details similar to the following:
```txt
Please delete the Gaia storage associated with the following ids:
- user1.id.blockstack
- user2.id
- user3.id.blockstack
All of these IDs used the Gaia default storage.
```
The support team will respond with an email confirming your data was deleted.
8. To confirm your data was deleted, navigate to <ahref="https://explorer.blockstack.org/"target="_blank">the Blockstack Explorer</a> and enter your ID into the search bar.
