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verifier

Definition

the entity that (cryptographically) verifies data received from peers (check structure, signatures, dates). More narrowly defined for the KERI suite: cryptographically verifies signature(s) on an event message.

Notice the subtile difference between validator and verifier.

Any entity or agent that cryptographically verifies the signature(s) and/or digests on an event message. In order to verify a signature, a verifier must first determine which set of keys are or were the controlling set for an identifier when an event was issued. In other words, a verifier must first establish control authority for an identifier. For identifiers that are declared as non-transferable at inception, this control establishment merely requires a copy of the inception event for the identifier. For identifiers that are declared transferable at inception, this control establishment requires a complete copy of the sequence of establishment events (inception and all rotations) for the identifier up to the time at which the statement was issued.
Source Sam Smith

ESSIF-lab definitions

  • verify definition is in sync with the definition in the KERI/ACDC vocabulary
  • verifier definition is in sync with the definition in the KERI/ACDC vocabulary
  • validate definition is very general, however in the KERI/ACDC vocabulary 'validate' currently has diverse meanings including this one
  • validator definition is a generalisation of the much more specific definition in the KERI/ACDC vocabulary