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Knowledge mapWhy trust an issuer?Industry concepts and standards

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Why trust an issuer?

Checking a credential protection mechanism differs from deciding whether to trust its issuer.

  1. Issuerstands behind
  2. Verifiable claimaccepted for a purpose
  3. Verifier purpose
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The VC data model does not choose trusted issuers for a verifier. Which issuers to trust, for which claims and purposes, remains the verifier’s decision. Source: VC Data Model 2.0 §5.1.

Imagine running a repair workshop. A training school and a hobby club each issue a credential for completing a mechanics course. Both pass their cryptographic checks. That does not make them equivalent qualifications for operating workshop equipment.

First inspect the claim: course attendance, an examination result, or permission to operate a machine? Then consider the issuer: why accept that organization’s judgment on this subject? Finally consider the purpose: visiting the workshop may require different evidence from operating machinery independently.

Read “verifiable” as an invitation to make checks explicit. The reason for accepting a claim still needs to be established.

Check your understanding

Is a successful signature check enough to accept a professional qualification?

No. You must determine whether the issuer is qualified to make the claim and whether it applies to the intended use.

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