splni

Splni is an open standard for machine-to-machine data exchange that emphasizes privacy and low overhead. Short for Secure Private Lightweight Network Interface, splni defines a compact protocol and data formats that enable interoperable communication between devices, services, and edge applications while protecting user privacy.

Origin and scope: The concept emerged in 2022 from a collaboration among researchers and vendors in the Internet of Things ecosystem. A published draft described a modular protocol stack with a focus on small-footprint implementations suitable for microcontrollers and constrained networks. As of 2024, several profiles exist but widespread adoption remains uneven.

Technical design: Splni uses end-to-end encryption, mutual device authentication, and a lightweight framing layer. It supports profiles for streaming, request–response, and publish–subscribe patterns. Data is transmitted in a compact binary format with optional metadata, and identity is anchored to decentralized identifiers with key rotation and access-control lists to limit data exposure.

Reception and current status: Splni is discussed as a privacy-preserving option for IoT and edge computing, but it faces competition from established protocols and fragmentation across profiles. Proponents emphasize reduced overhead and granular access control, while critics note the lack of mature tooling and governance. No single governing body oversees splni.