Microsoft believes that everyone has the right to control their digital identity, which keeps all personal data more securely and discreetly. This identity must blend smoothly into everyday life while providing full control over data access and usage.
According to Michael Saylor, if bitcoin aims to remove the authority of centralized institutions over money, ION is attempting to accomplish the same with online identities.
https://mycryptoparadise.com/microsoft-to-enable-ownership-and-protection-of-decentralized-virtual-identities-using-bitcoin/