Role of biometrics in global decentralized digital ID platform explained by Goode Intelligence white paper

The use of identity tokens bound to users with biometrics through a template-less algorithm and not dependent on smartphone ownership is the solution to solving the inclusiveness problem in digital identity, according to the DID Alliance and a new report from Goode Intelligence introducing its vision for a Global Trusted Platform.

The 12-page white paper titled “An Introduction to GADI: the Global Architecture for Digital Identity” explores the nature of digital ID, breaking it down into inherent digital attributes, which include biometrics, and digital activities, which are inherited or derived from behaviors.

The DID Alliance has identified problems for digital ID systems in trust and accountability, fragmentation and duplication, a lack of ownership and control by individuals, and a lack of binding between digital and physical identities, which Goode summarizes.

The DID Alliance created GADI to address these problems and support the development of self-sovereign identity (SSI) by enabling interoperability between Digital Address Providers (DAPs). DAPs provide identity services related to Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs). GADI sits between DAPs, certifying them and providing a trust source for cross-ledger transactions. DAPs interact with credential issuers, service providers and users.

Goode Intelligence credits FIDO Alliance Co-founder Ramesh Kesanupalli, Soonhyung Lee of Raonsecure and Abbie Barber of CVS/Aetna as key contributors to the GADI vision, which is to achieve interoperability even beyond that already afforded by W3C, DIF, and Hyperledger Aries. Service providers would be able to trust any Verified Credential from any identity platform, and utilize the GADI Token Exchange mechanism to settle transaction costs.

Each individual is issued a digital address by a certified issuer, which functions as “the digital equivalent of a birth certificate,” according to the white paper. It is created under a legal framework based on identity-related traits like biometrics, names and biographical information, and used as a source of verifiable trust for all transactions. Its creation would be bound by strict KYC rules, and each transaction strengthens the credential. Digital addresses can be delivered to mobile devices, a FIDO-secured credential wallet, or a smart card, which Goode suggests as an inclusive option.

Identity information is retained by issuers, including government organizations, and no personal identity information is exchanged. Privacy is preserved through the use of Zero-knowledge proofs.

In addition to protocols providing the foundation for cross-ledger interoperability, GADI creates economic models which could mean new revenue streams for government passport offices through identity verification services.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  credentials  |  decentralized ID  |  decentralized identifiers (DIDs)  |  DID Alliance  |  digital identity  |  Goode Intelligence  |  identity verification  |  interoperability