FAQ

Originator Profile (OP) technology is a digital technology that enables users to identify the originator/publisher of information (content) on the internet. Rather than certifying whether content is correct or constitutes dis/misinformation, the identifier is issued after third-party certification of information such as who the originator/publisher of the content is and their corporate mission, core values, editorial policy, and journalistic responsibility. Thus, users can identify the originator/publisher of content more easily, and can also confirm that the information has not been tampered with, making it easier to identify dis/misinformation. This is expected to restrain the flood of dis/misinformation and ad-fraud. Developing this mechanism with the participation of various stakeholders in a transparent manner will preserve a sound cyberspace environment and serve to enhance the public interest.

Advances in information technology have brought various benefits to our society; at the same time, IT has allowed the spread of harmful disinformation and spoofs, which makes finding reliable information difficult and distorts the truth itself. One factor is the rise of the so-called “attention economy,” in which malicious actors seek to gain money by placing online ads that attract people’s attention without care for the credibility or accuracy of the information. The negative aspects of dis/misinformation in elections and disasters have a significant impact on democracy and the safety of people's lives and have become a major social problem. We believe that new technology such as OP technology is necessary to resolve these negative aspects and make cyberspace a healthier place.

OP technology clarifies the originator/publisher of content to indicate its authenticity and trustworthiness, rather than judging whether internet content is correct or false. This requires a mechanism to guarantee who the originator/publisher is and whether the originator/publisher is trustworthy. Therefore, third-party certification is implemented. For example, industry associations, which require companies to follow specific rules and fulfill certain conditions to become a member, are asked to confirm and certify the company’s membership of the association and that it has certain content creation policies and has ensured governance. These facts will clearly show users that the originator/publisher of the content is credible and trustworthy. The Originator Profile Collaborative Innovation Partnership (OP CIP) is calling for cooperation from industry associations and certification organizations that have certain policies.

OP technology enables internet users to explicitly know who is responsible for creating and delivering content on the Web. Being able to verify the originator/publisher of information makes it easier for users to determine whether the content is dis/misinformation.

The system is likely to be used for news from media organizations, advertisements by companies, and information from government agencies. It is also expected to be used in areas where dis/misinformation are likely to be spread, such as medical information, financial information, and disaster-related information announced by local authorities.

OP is implemented by applying the latest technologies, such as Verifiable Credentials (VC), which display certificates and credentials from trusted third parties. End-users can confirm the following points regarding the trustworthiness of the originator/publisher of the content: (1) The entity of the originator/publisher of the content exists, and the content has not been tampered with. (2) The entity has policies and governance to ensure reliability and responsibility in delivering information. In principle, the system architecture of OP is a client-server model and does not utilize blockchain technology.

OP technology clarifies the originator/publisher of content to help users distinguish reliable content from dis/misinformation. It is not a fact-checking technology.

OP certifies that the content was published by a responsible company or other entity. It is a different method from fact-checking, which determines the correctness of news, etc., but it helps users determine whether content is trustworthy. OP technology also certifies the authenticity of content unsuitable for fact-checking, such as manga and art, by ensuring that it has not been tampered with and that the originator/publisher is authentic.

Yes. Coexistence will make content more reliable.

News organizations usually deliver articles based on the provenance of individual articles, images, and videos. Provenance management technology records and manages how the content was produced and edited, and is mainly used by news organizations. OP technology, on the other hand, clarifies the entity that created and distributed news articles and other information in the aim of enabling verification by end-users.

Much effort is required to enable end-users to confirm the provenance of content, including the application of provenance management technology to news organizations’ whole workflow and the application of an authentication system that can be shared with end-users. OP technology has been developed with the aim of verification by end-users. It enables the provision to end-users of necessary and sufficient information to determine the authenticity of the originator/publisher of the content by an easier process.

We expect that the coexistence of provenance management technology and OP technology will accelerate efforts to tackle dis/misinformation and spoofs. In preparing and delivering news after checking the provenance of articles, photos, videos, etc., with a provenance management technology, content originators/publishers such as news organizations are expected to increase end-users’ sense of security by declaring their entity to end-users via OP technology.

After trials, we aim to have the technology partially available by 2025-26.

Making cyberspace healthier is a global issue, and we are working toward international standardization so that it can be used universally worldwide.

OP is being developed by OP CIP, a partnership comprising a wide range of organizations, including newspapers, TV stations, advertising companies, IT companies, and telecommunications companies, led by Keio University's Cyber Civilization Research Center. It aims to standardize the technology internationally while conducting trials on OP technology.

OP technology has been developed by OP CIP. After social implementation, a body for fair operation will be established under the OP Charter, and this body will operate the system.

OP CIP will take the lead and propose specifications to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), a standardization organization for web technology, and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), which develops and promotes technical standards widely used on the internet. We are actively working toward international standardization.