The disclosure relates to a digital identity system including an enrolment module executing on a processor configured to receive a data item from an enrolling device and to create in persistent electronic storage a digital profile comprising the data item. The system also includes a credential creation module executing on a processor configured to generate a credential from a random sequence, to associate the credential with the digital profile in a database, and to transmit the credential to the enrolling device. The system further includes a publication module executing on a processor configured, in response to later presentation of the credential to the digital identity system, to publish the digital profile by storing a version of the digital profile in a memory location accessible to a device presenting the credential.