Traditional identity checks often expose far more personal data than necessary, increasing the risk of leaks and misuse. Verified digital credentials flip this model by allowing consumers to share only what’s required in a transaction, according to Vivek Raman, vice president and general manager of Okta Personal at Okta Inc. “If I want to go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of wine, which I’ll probably do after this interview, today I hand over my driver’s license, which has my full name, my home address, my photo [and] all that stuff, where all they really need to know is am I over 21 or not? So, selective disclosure with verifiable credentials lets you, the user, be in control of what data you share.” That principle extends to online interactions, where businesses can verify that users meet legal or compliance requirements without maintaining sensitive personal data. Verified digital credentials can expire, live only on a consumer’s device and be locked with biometrics such as Face ID, making them more secure than static, physical documents, according to Raman. The healthcare and government sectors are leading the adoption, demonstrating how the technology can reduce onboarding times and enhance trust, according to Raman. Governments are driving standardization through initiatives such as U.S. state mobile driver’s licenses and forthcoming European legislation mandating interoperable citizen IDs. Looking ahead, Raman envisions individuals carrying a portfolio of verified digital credentials in their digital wallets, much like credit cards have transitioned to tap-to-pay systems. Adoption hurdles remain, but the convergence of standards and government momentum points to broad mainstream use in the near future, according to Raman.