Known Traveller Digital Identity (KTDI)

The Known Traveller Digital Identity (KTDI) is a technical initiative launched in 2018 by the World Economic Forum that implements decentralized digital identity for international travel. The project leverages emerging standards including W3C Verifiable Credentials and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) to enable secure and seamless cross-border travel through digital identity verification.

The core technical architecture of KTDI is built on a decentralized identity model that allows travelers to:

• Manage their own digital identity credentials
• Collect digital "attestations" of their personal data
• Selectively share verified identity claims with authorities
• Control what data is shared and when through self-sovereign identity principles

The system enables consortium partners like governments and travel industry stakeholders to access verifiable claims of travelers' identity data to assess credibility and optimize passenger processing while reducing risk. The technical implementation follows key standards and specifications:

• W3C Verifiable Credentials for portable identity claims
• DID protocols for decentralized identifiers
• Blockchain technology for enhanced security and trust
• Biometric verification capabilities
• Mobile device integration for user control

This technical description focuses on the core architecture and standards used by KTDI, avoiding marketing claims while highlighting its role in advancing decentralized identity standards for travel use cases.