mobilcredential

Mobilcredential is a digital credential stored on a mobile device that proves a person’s identity or authorization for access to services, locations, or transactions. It is issued by trusted authorities such as government agencies, employers, or credential providers and presented to verifiers via a mobile wallet or app. A mobilcredential typically contains identity attributes (for example name or photo), verification data, and cryptographic material such as keys or certificates that enable authentication and the signing of assertions.

Presentation methods include near-field communication (NFC) for in-person access, QR codes, or in-app verifications for digital services. In some implementations, verification can occur within web or mobile apps using standards like WebAuthn/FIDO2. Verifiers check the credential’s cryptographic proof, and revocation mechanisms allow rapid invalidation if the credential is compromised. Mobile credentials may support offline verification for limited periods and online verification when a network is available.

Issuance workflows involve a trusted issuer (government, employer, or certification body), a credential registry or distributed ledger, and a wallet app that stores verifiable credentials and handles user consent. Privacy-preserving designs aim to minimize disclosed attributes and may support selective disclosure, where only necessary information is revealed.

Applications of mobilcredentials span government digital IDs and digital driving licenses, corporate access badges, secure app logins, and multi-factor authentication for services. Challenges include interoperability across jurisdictions and platforms, device loss or compromise, user privacy considerations, and ensuring robust security across diverse hardware environments.

See also: mobile driver's license, verifiable credential, secure element, FIDO2/WebAuthn, digital identity.