Telefónica Tech, Telefónica’s digital business unit, launches a self-sovereign identity solution based on verifiable credentials to help companies and public organisations adapt to and implement the European Union’s new legal and technical framework for Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), whose reference project is the EUDI Wallet, which will come into force at the end of 2026 in all member states.
Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) represents a revolution in personal information management by giving individuals complete control over the identity they present to digital services, as they will be able to decide what information about themselves is seen, who sees it and when, in the form of a verifiable credential. On the one hand, it allows digital credentials (which may be personal data, identifications, certifications, qualifications, etc.) to be managed and controlled securely and privately; and on the other, it provides organisations with tools to issue, validate and revoke credentials and attributes efficiently, ensuring interoperability and regulatory compliance and facilitating more agile, secure and transparent processes.
Telefónica Tech’s self-sovereign identity solution implements these principles and enables organisations to issue, verify and manage verifiable credentials that users will store on their devices. In this way, for example, in the process of registering for the census, the issuer will be the local council, which instead of sending a PDF will be able to issue it in credential format so that citizens can upload it to their device and prove their place of residence to anyone who requests it.
In addition, Telefónica Tech offers professional services to accompany customers throughout the technology adoption process, even making its TrustOS blockchain service available to them to reinforce the traceability and transparency of when a credential has been shared, who issued it, and whether it is valid or has been revoked.
Elena Gil Lizasoain, Director of AI and Data at Telefónica Tech, explains: “Our self-sovereign identity solution is designed to help public administrations and private companies stay ahead of the new European framework and enable their employees, customers and citizens to maintain control over the personal information they share on the Internet. Our identity is a critical asset, and we must ensure absolute transparency throughout its life cycle by facilitating its transfer and use by third parties, but only when necessary.”
Multiple business uses
Telefónica Tech’s self-sovereign identity solution allows users to use their verifiable credentials to securely prove aspects about themselves. Organisations implementing this solution will only need to show a QR code to the user to scan so that they can present the verifiable credential from their device.
The development of self-sovereign identity has multiple applications in the business world. On the one hand, it allows users to decide when to use their credentials, provide only the necessary information and ensure that data is shared securely and legitimately. On the other hand, companies obtain third-party verified data on individuals, preventing cases of identity fraud.
Possible use cases include obtaining digital credentials and certificates (civil registration, driving license, residence in ZBE areas, etc.), age verification (with this solution, users do not have to show their ID card with all their information to prove that they are of legal age, but only a cryptographic proof that guarantees that they are over 18), access management in private, restricted or critical infrastructure premises, and the fight against fraud in online purchasing processes.
