The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has selected six startups to develop digital wallets to protect the privacy of individuals using digital versions of credentials issued for immigration and travel.

The six startups selected are Credence ID, Hushmesh, Netis d.o.o., Procivis, SpruceID, and Ubiqu. These digital credential users will be able to store their information in enhanced privacy digital wallets. 

“DHS is the authoritative source of some of the most highly valued credentials issued by the U.S. Federal Government for cross-border travel, demonstrating employment eligibility, residency status and citizenship. The capabilities developed under this solicitation will ensure that those credentials can be stored securely and verified properly while preserving the privacy of individuals using openly developed standards that are globally acceptable, highly secure, and accessible to all,” Anil John, Technical Director of S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP), said.

DHS awarded contracts under its Privacy Preserving Digital Credential Wallets & Verifiers initiative, which requires DHS digital credential wallets and verifiers to adhere to open, global standards established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). 

As a member of W3C, DHS contributes to the development of these standards to ensure they incorporate relevant security and privacy criteria, promoting interoperability, accessibility, internationalization, and robust privacy and security measures.