🏅 Digital Badge FAQ

What are digital badges?

Digital badges are visual tokens of achievement or participation. Each badge includes embedded metadata that conforms to the Open Badges standard. This metadata describes:

  • What the badge represents
  • Who issued it
  • When it was issued
  • Who it was issued to (via a hashed email address)

Who issues these badges?

Badges are issued by the ASF Training Project or participating ASF projects. The metadata embedded in each badge includes a verifiable issuer profile.

Who can receive a badge?

Badges may be awarded to Community members completing key activities, such as writing documentation, helping with releases, mentoring, or sustained participation in ASF projects and initiatives.

Are these only for ASF committers?

No. Many badges are available to contributors, learners, and participants, regardless of committer status. They’re meant to encourage broader involvement in the ASF ecosystem.

What can I do with a badge?

You can:

  • Share it on LinkedIn, GitHub, or your website
  • Include it in your rĂ©sumĂ© or portfolio
  • Use it to demonstrate verified experience in open-source contributions or training
  • Store and manage it using services like Open Badge Passport, which allow you to organize and showcase your badges across different platforms

Each badge includes a unique verification URL.

Where are badges hosted?

Badges are hosted on the ASF Training site or relevant ASF project infrastructure. Badge metadata is available in JSON format for verification.

What personal data is stored?

Badges do not store names or email addresses.

Instead, recipient identity is verified using a SHA-256 hash of their email address. This allows the badge to be validated without storing personally identifiable information (PII).

Can a badge be revoked?

Yes. Badges can be revoked:

  • If issued in error
  • If requested by the recipient
  • If project policy changes

Revoked badges will no longer verify successfully using Open Badge validators.

How do I verify a badge?

Each badge includes:

  • A PNG file with embedded metadata
  • A linked assertion file (JSON) that contains the hashed recipient ID, issue date, and badge criteria

You can verify it using tools like:

  • badgecheck.io
  • OpenBadgeValidator
  • Direct inspection of the assertion file

Do badges confer ASF roles or privileges?

No. Badges are a form of recognition, not a form of authority. They do not:

  • Grant ASF Membership or committership
  • Provide voting rights
  • Change a person's status within the ASF

They are designed to encourage learning, visibility, and community engagement.

How do I claim my badge?

Badges are typically awarded automatically or manually and hosted on a public ASF infrastructure URL. There is no account registration required. If your email hash matches a badge, you have effectively “claimed” it. If your badge was not generated but you believe you earned one, contact the issuer.

What if my badge isn’t showing up or validating?

  • Double-check the badge URL and associated JSON files
  • Use https://badgecheck.io to validate the badge
  • If you see a 404 or hash mismatch, reach out to the badge issuer or project contact

Can I see the metadata in a badge?

Yes. Each badge links to three JSON files:

  • assertion.json: recipient ID hash, issued date, and evidence
  • badgeclass.json: badge name, description, and criteria
  • issuer.json: who issued the badge and how to contact them

Can I update or correct my badge after it's issued?

Yes, in most cases. While badge files are static, they can be:

  • Re-issued using a new email hash
  • Removed or replaced if there’s an error
  • Updated if badge criteria or descriptions change retroactively

Why do you use email hashes instead of names?

To protect recipient privacy. By hashing email addresses:

  • No PII is stored
  • Verification is still possible via hash comparison
  • We avoid compliance issues with data retention

Can other ASF projects create their own badge programs?

Yes. Projects can:

  • Reuse existing tooling from ASF Training
  • Host their own badge infrastructure

Can I design or submit artwork for a badge?

Yes. Contributions are welcome!

  • Submit artwork as SVG or square PNG (256x256)
  • Prefer CC0 or Apache-licensed assets
  • Badge icons should visually match the badge theme