Standards &
Interoperability

Claim 169 is a standardised, interoperable QR code that seeks to address the global need for a secure, universally-accepted QR code format for identity-related data. It defines the specifications for a CBOR-based QR code that contains a low-resolution image of the user and a minimal demographic dataset, digitally signed by the ID issuing authority, and is subsequently printed on a physical card.

In cross-border scenarios, particularly in remote areas with limited internet or server connectivity, the ability to scan a standard, verified QR code to authenticate a user’s identity provides an invaluable layer of security and assurance. By enabling facial authentication across diverse contexts, we believe that Claim 169 is an important milestone in our goal to enhance interoperability and enable residents with reliable access to social benefits and government services.

In alignment with this vision, Claim 169 is now successfully registered in the CBOR Web Token (CWT) Registry by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), as specified by MOSIP.

The Secure Biometrics Device Interface is a set of standards defined by MOSIP, currently in use in several MOSIP-adopting countries. It defines standard APIs for biometric devices to connect to MOSIP. Developed in 2019, the standards have evolved over the years, and led to IEEE P3167.

IEEE P3167, developed by a working group within the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), is an attempt to develop a set of standards around the establishment of secure interfaces for the entire process of collecting data via biometric devices. Developed within the Standard for Secure Biometrics Device Interface (SSBI), this protocol specifically addresses the trustworthiness of biometric devices and their captured data, in addition to general data security. This work is being overseen by the Cybersecurity and Privacy Standards Committee (CPSC).

Built to narrow the digital divide and improve accessibility, the BLE exchange protocol is a cost-effective mechanism to digitally share credentials held on a user’s personal device to a service provider’s device.

This offers trusted exchange of data without the need for connectivity, pairing of devices, or advanced hardware – making it accessible to people with older phones or insufficient network. The request for credentials also supports selective disclosure and privacy provisions for retaining the shared information on the service provider’s device.

The protocol is in a draft state and multiple adopters are implementing it, including MOSIP’s credentialing stack, Inji. It has been proposed to the OpenID Connect working group at the OpenID Foundation.

The GovStack initiative is a multi-stakeholder initiative led by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – Estonia, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Digital Impact Alliance.

It aims to break down the barriers to building sustainable digital public infrastructure and help governments create human-centred digital services that empower individuals, improve well-being, and build more inclusive and resilient societies. The initiative actively seeks partnerships with governments, agencies, private sector organisations, and the open-source community, and projects such as MOSIP

The Digital Convergence Initiative (DCI) is a joint effort by governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and private companies to create integrated and interoperable social protection information systems. Launched in 2021, the Initiative aims to build a global consensus on technical standards and guidelines for digital systems which enable the smooth exchange of data between programmes and institutions that are integral to the delivery of social protection.

G2P Connect is an open-source effort to enable government-to-person digital payments built through interoperable standards and design blueprints. Digitising public infrastructure such as civil registration through digital public goods allows governments to affordably implement public infrastructure, such as social protection, at scale.

OpenCRVS is an open-source digital civil registration system designed to manage the registration of life events and adapts to different country contexts. The integration of OpenCRVS and MOSIP facilitate seamless data exchange and validation, ensuring secure and efficient identity management from birth to death.OpenCRVS records vital events, while MOSIP provides a scalable and secure framework for interoperable identity systems.