Digital identity governance encompasses the policies, frameworks, certifications, and institutional structures that define how identity systems operate, who can participate, and what rules they must follow. Without governance, digital identity becomes a technical capability without trust, credentials that work mechanically but lack the institutional backing that makes them meaningful.
The role of trust frameworks
Trust frameworks establish the rules of engagement for digital identity ecosystems. They define requirements for issuers: what identity proofing processes they must follow, what security controls they must implement, how they must handle revocation and lifecycle management.
They also define requirements for verifiers: what credentials they can accept, what data they can request, how long they can retain information. And they establish expectations for wallet providers: how they must protect credentials, what privacy features they must support, how they must handle user consent.
Trust frameworks like AAMVA's Digital Trust Service for mobile driver's licenses, TSA's Trust Services Integration Framework (TSIF) for airport acceptance, and Kantara's Identity Assurance Framework for credential service providers all serve this function, creating shared rules that enable interoperability while maintaining security.
State and federal governance
In the United States, digital identity governance is distributed across multiple levels.
At the state level, DMVs and vital records offices issue foundational identity documents. States like Utah have enacted specific digital identity legislation (Utah Code § 63A-16-1202) that establishes statutory requirements for privacy, unlinkability, minimal disclosure, and individual control. These state frameworks create binding legal obligations for how digital identity must operate within their jurisdictions.
At the federal level, agencies like DHS, NIST, and Treasury shape digital identity through standards, pilots, and regulations. TSA's mobile driver's license acceptance program, NIST's Digital Identity Guidelines, and Treasury's work on financial compliance all influence how digital identity develops nationally.
Certification as governance
Certification programs translate governance requirements into verifiable compliance. When a wallet or issuer system is certified, it has been independently tested against defined criteria and found to meet those standards.
States may recognize multiple certification types: FIDO certifications for authentication security, Kantara certifications for governance and privacy, FIME certifications for ISO conformance. States can also establish their own certification programs, defining requirements specific to their statutory frameworks and delegating auditing to qualified professionals.
Certification provides accountability. It creates consequences for non-compliance and gives ecosystem participants confidence that certified systems meet required standards.
Liability and responsibility
Governance also addresses liability. Who is responsible when something goes wrong? Clear allocation of responsibility across issuers, wallet providers, verifiers, and holders is essential for a sustainable ecosystem.
Issuers bear responsibility for accurately verifying identities and issuing proper credentials. Wallet providers bear responsibility for implementing technical safeguards and honoring user consent. Verifiers bear responsibility for requesting only necessary data and handling it appropriately. Holders bear responsibility for maintaining control of their credentials and approving disclosures.
Legislation should clearly establish these roles, ensuring that when holders act in good faith and use certified systems, they are protected from liability for system failures beyond their control.
Governance as enabler
Good governance doesn't constrain digital identity, it enables it. By establishing clear rules, creating accountability mechanisms, and fostering institutional trust, governance enables credentials to be accepted across jurisdictions, allows banks to rely on digital verification for compliance, and ensures that residents can trust their privacy will be protected.
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