An Interface between Legacy and Modern Mobile Devices for Digital Identity
This work addresses digital exclusion for users in developing regions who rely on legacy devices, providing a practical solution to bridge the technology gap.
The paper tackles the problem of legacy mobile devices being unable to run standard authentication apps by developing a novel interface that enables these devices to load and display QR codes for digital identity credentials, making modern identity platforms accessible to economically disadvantaged populations in developing regions.
In developing regions a substantial number of users rely on legacy and ultra-low-cost mobile devices. Unfortunately, many of these devices are not equipped to run the standard authentication or identity apps that are available for smartphones. Increasingly, apps that display Quick Response (QR) codes are being used to communicate personal credentials (e.g., Covid-19 vaccination certificates). This paper describes a novel interface for QR code credentials that is compatible with legacy mobile devices. Our solution, which we have released under open source licensing, allows Web Application Enabled legacy mobile devices to load and display standard QR codes. This technique makes modern identity platforms available to previously excluded and economically disadvantaged populations.