Secure online exchange of digital identification

A communications network 10 enabling a plurality of entities 20-27, 30 to obtain digital information from one another, and comprises a plurality of systems which are mutual peers on the network configured and arranged to operate as agents 20A-27A, 30A for respective entities, wherein the plurality of such agents comprises a first agent 23A for a first said entity 23 requiring an item of said digital information and a second agent 20A for accessing the information item, and wherein said first and second agents have individual policies defining standards for their management of said digital information and a common operating protocol whereby: said first entity initiates an information exchange process by entering a request for the required information item on the first agent, the first agent connects to the second agent and the first and second agents then engage in a conversation in which they request and exchange germane data; and when the second agent has sufficient data to meet its policy standards for releasing said information item to the first agent then the second agent releases the information item to the first agent. The common operating protocol may allow continuing, pausing and terminating of the conversation between the agents.