Verifiable Presentation(VP)
In the realm of verifiable credentials, one or more data or attributes derived from these credentials constitute a verifiable presentation. These attributes may originate from different issuers, and the presentation is shared with specific verifiers.
Components of a verifiable presentation
A verifiable presentation (VP) typically includes the following key components:
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Attributes from Verifiable Credentials: One or more attributes within a VP are derived from verifiable credentials (VCs). These VCs can be issued by various entities and may pertain to different aspects of an individual’s qualifications or identity.
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Selective Inclusion: Certain types of VPs may contain data that is selectively chosen from verifiable credentials but do not necessarily include all the original details from the VCs. This selective inclusion allows for sharing specific information without revealing unnecessary or sensitive data.
Ensuring trust through cryptographic verification
Verifiable presentations are encoded in a way that ensures the trustworthiness of the data’s provenance and creation details. This trust is established through a standardized process of cryptographic verification. This process involves:
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Provenance Verification: Verifiers can trace the origin of the data within a VP back to its respective verifiable credentials. This ensures that the information is legitimate and has not been tampered with.
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Creation Details: The creation details of the data, including timestamps and signatures, are securely embedded within the presentation. This information can be cryptographically verified to ensure its authenticity.
The significance of “verifiable”
In this context, the term “verifiable” indicates that both the credential and the presentation can be independently and securely verified by a designated verifier. This verification process instills confidence in the accuracy and trustworthiness of the shared data, making it a crucial component of digital identity and data sharing in the modern digital landscape.
As the adoption of verifiable credentials and presentations continues to grow, they play a pivotal role in enhancing security, privacy, and trust in data sharing and identity verification.