In Memoriam: The Rise, Fall & Death of Google Plus
Google was only going to be one of many identity service providers for a program run by the Federal Government called the NSTIC, or National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace.
> “[NSTIC] The initiative envisions an online environment-the “Identity Ecosystem”‘ – that improves on the use of passwords and usernames, and allows individuals and organizations to better trust one another, with minimized disclosure of personal information. The Identity Ecosystem is a user-centric online environment, a set of technologies, policies. and agreed upon standards, that securely support transactions ranging from anonymous to fully authenticated and from low to high value.
Alex Howard, "A Manhattan Project for Online Identity"
The NSTIC proposes the creation of an “identity ecosystem” online, “where individuals and organizations will be able to trust each other because they follow agreed upon standards to obtain and authenticate their digital identities.” The strategy puts government in the role of a convener, verifying and certifying identity providers in a trust framework.
http://radar.oreilly.com/2011/05/nstic-analysis-identity-pri...
"In Memoriam: The Rise, Fall & Death of Google Plus"
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-plus-history-deat...
"Google & NSTIC Leading the March to Digital Totalitarianism?"
https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2011/11/08/google-nstic-le...
"National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace"
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg73124/pdf/CHRG-112... [pdf]
Earlier & more context (myself):
"A Manhattan Project for Online Identity: NSTIC -- What is social media for?"
https://old.reddit.com/r/plexodus/comments/aa6pmi/a_manhatta...
Well, that and killing Facebook & catapulting Vic Gundotra into the Alphabet driver's seat.
Best laid plans, etc., etc.