{"id":8419,"date":"2021-09-29T21:55:30","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T16:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/?p=8419"},"modified":"2022-05-02T16:40:57","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T11:10:57","slug":"cowin-certificate-travel-ready-or-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/29\/cowin-certificate-travel-ready-or-not\/","title":{"rendered":"CoWIN Certificate &#8211; Travel Ready Or Not?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As soon as the UK government announced that it won&#8217;t accept CoWIN Certificate as proof of vaccination of Indian travelers, all hell broke loose on Twitter.<\/p>\n<p>Some people argued that CoWIN portal provides cloud-based, digitally signed vaccination certificate.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">UK cannot make sense of India&#39;s CoWin vaccine certificate, because India&#39;s QR coded, digitally signed document is light years ahead of Britain&#39;s handwritten memo. Tough to swallow the pill from natives.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sreemoy Talukdar (@sreemoytalukdar) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sreemoytalukdar\/status\/1440756749225508873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 22, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Well, CoWIN Certificate may do all that but they totally miss the point: If Britain&#8217;s systems are light years behind, then it obviously can&#8217;t make sense of CoWIN certificate.<\/p>\n<p>Some others don&#8217;t realize that the real aspersion cast by UK is on the paper certificate.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">If UK govt can access CoWIN, I agree. Else aspersion is cast on person claiming to have CoWIN paper certificate, which can be easily photoshopped, and not on CoWIN itself.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ketharaman Swaminathan (@s_ketharaman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/s_ketharaman\/status\/1440746779146797068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 22, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Some people forget that, when Indians travel to UK, it&#8217;s incumbent upon India to go the extra mile to issue a certificate that UK immigration can decipher.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">And why will they stand in a line to learn about CoWIN? Are they the ones trying to enter India??<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ketharaman Swaminathan (@s_ketharaman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/s_ketharaman\/status\/1441019438430445580?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 23, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Overall, there was a lot of faux patriotism from the Twitterati but little evidence that the average tweeter really understood the crux of the issue:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>It&#8217;s not Faux Patriots sitting in India but but some immigration officer in a foreign country who needs to look at the certificate and verify the vaccination status before waving the traveler through.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Having passed through immigration checkposts in dozens of countries countless times, it&#8217;s the whim of the immigration officer behind the counter that really counts.<\/p>\n<hr style=\"width: 70%;\" \/>\n<p>Thankfully, the outrage died down quickly. I don&#8217;t know if it&#8217;s correlation or causation &#8211; or merely coincidence &#8211; but I sensed normalcy return soon after <a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/opinion\/et-commentary\/cowin-yet-another-example-of-indias-capability-of-building-population-scale-systems\/articleshow\/86536449.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Economic Times<\/em><\/a> published this op-ed by\u00a0Mr. Ram Sewak Sharma, the Chairman of CoWIN Panel.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-ET-27SEP2021.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8421\" src=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-ET-27SEP2021.jpg\" alt=\"CLICK TO EXPAND\" width=\"500\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-ET-27SEP2021.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-ET-27SEP2021-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-ET-27SEP2021-1020x1024.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-ET-27SEP2021-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-ET-27SEP2021-768x771.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In this piece, Mr. R S Sharma gave an excellent overview of CoWIN and future plans for the portal.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;d given a shout out to CoWIN for being frictionless last month.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Happy 75th Independence Day!<br \/>Freedom from friction!!<br \/>Friction in websites and apps!!! <br \/>Not only in the PayTMs &amp; Swiggys developed by well funded startups but even in  the volunteer-built govt ones like <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZhvYo4beuZ\">https:\/\/t.co\/ZhvYo4beuZ<\/a>, CoWIN, etc.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ketharaman Swaminathan (@s_ketharaman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/s_ketharaman\/status\/1426836613666119681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>After reading the op-ed, as an Indian IT industry lifer, I was proud to know that CoWIN also incorporates state-of-the-art technology and conforms with internationally-accepted specifications.<\/p>\n<hr style=\"width: 70%;\" \/>\n<p>That said, there are many open questions about the usability of the CoWIN Certificate for the purposes of travel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#1. QR DOES NOT WORK<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Typing a URL on a smartphone virtual keyboard can be a PITA. QR solves that problem by letting you scan the code and reach a webpage without having to type its URL.<\/p>\n<p>When people see a QR, they simply scan it. If nothing happens after that, they will call it a #FAIL and move on.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the case with the QR code on CoWIN certificate &#8211; nothing happens when you scan it.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-QR-VERIFY-URL.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8420 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-QR-VERIFY-URL.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"630\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-QR-VERIFY-URL.jpg 630w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/COWIN-QR-VERIFY-URL-200x89.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a fineprint on the certificate suggesting that people need to type http:\/\/verify.cowin.gov.in before scanning the QR.<\/p>\n<p>When I visited that page on the CoWIN portal, I found no mention that I should follow the instructions given on it with a smartphone. While some people claimed on Twitter that the verification instructions work equally well on a desktop, that was some more of faux patriotism. It didn&#8217;t work for me even after several attempts. I didn&#8217;t even get the error message that was supposed to appear if the QR failed to scan after 45 seconds.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only-3.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-8429 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only-3-125x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only-3-125x200.jpg 125w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only-3.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><\/a>I then typed the URL on my smartphone browser and visited the page. This time, I was able to scan the QR and get the proof of vaccination (shown at right). (It had a yawning gap. More on that later.)<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m sure CoWIN knows that asking people to type a URL on a smartphone goes against their experience with QR codes in general and runs counter to internationally accepted specifications of how the QR technology works.<\/p>\n<p>Since it&#8217;s still insisting on this step, there must be a good reason. If it&#8217;s to comply with WHO, DDCC:VS, W3C et al, then CoWIN should make it clear that it has introduced a friction hotspot in order to conform with international standards.<\/p>\n<p>My $0.02: CoWIN should print\u00a0the logos of these international specifications organizations on the certificate. That would act as a \u201cSeal of Trust\u201d and encourage widespread use of the verification feature on the CoWIN certificate, especially by foreign governments who could otherwise dismiss the QR offhand with a \u201cit doesn\u2019t work\u201d remark, and deem fully vaccinated CoWIN Certificate holders as unvaccinated.<\/p>\n<p>#<strong>2. ITVC<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From the op-ed:<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #00c89640;\">\n<p>&#8220;CoWIN plans to release an international version of the vaccination certificate for travel purposes. Citizens will soon be able to log into the CoWIN portal and apply for an <em>International Travel Verification Certificate<\/em>. An ITVC will soon be available for download in various internationally accepted formats, including WHO&#8217;s DDCC:VS, the Europen Union&#8217;s digital Covid certificate (DCC), and the International Civil Aviation Organization&#8217;s visible digital seal (VDS).&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The need for a separate artefact like ITVC suggests tacit acceptance that the present CoWIN Certificate is not fit-for-purpose as proof of vaccination. Well, isn&#8217;t that what the UK government said in the first place?<\/p>\n<p>Alas, it now appears that even fully vaccinated Indian travelers will face quarantine in UK &#8211; and other countries with similar rules &#8211; until ITVC becomes a reality.<\/p>\n<p><strong>#3. INCOMPLETE INFO<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The final certificate that&#8217;s downloadable as a PDF from the CoWIN portal mentions the doctor and hospital details <em>only for the second jab<\/em>. (Well, if you wish to pick a nit, it does not explicitly link them with the second jab but I know that these details pertain to the second jab). Similar info is conspicuous by absence for the first jab.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8426\" src=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only-200x74.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cowin-2nd-jab-only-768x286.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On top of that, the webpage that shows up after scanning the QR successfully <em>does not provide any information about the first jab<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m sure that&#8217;s unintentional but it could appear to an immigration officer that the certificate is trying to hide something about the first jab.\u00a0Obviously, that&#8217;s not a great way to foster trust, especially among an audience that has already expressed its skepticism.<\/p>\n<p>My $0.02: Either this info should be provided for both jabs or it should be removed from the CoWIN Certificate altogether.<\/p>\n<hr style=\"width: 70%;\" \/>\n<p>These issues raise questions about the credibility of the present CoWIN Certificate for purposes of travel.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m glad that the CoWIN Panel has sensed this and is working towards a swift resolution of the open issues.<\/p>\n<p>In a larger context, this is about reports in software. Given that CoWIN Certificate is a report from the CoWIN software, this episode highlights the need to design reports and dashboards such that they work for the user for whom they&#8217;re developed rather than the product manager who develops them.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, this is common sense. But, as the saying goes, common sense is not very common!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>PS: A condensed version of this blog post appeared in my letter to the editor of the <em>Economic Times<\/em> on 27 September 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As soon as the UK government announced that it won&#8217;t accept CoWIN Certificate as proof of vaccination of Indian travelers, all hell broke loose on Twitter. Some people argued that CoWIN portal provides cloud-based, digitally signed vaccination certificate. UK cannot make sense of India&#39;s CoWin vaccine certificate, because India&#39;s QR coded, digitally signed document is &#8230; <a title=\"CoWIN Certificate &#8211; Travel Ready Or Not?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/29\/cowin-certificate-travel-ready-or-not\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about CoWIN Certificate &#8211; Travel Ready Or Not?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,16,13,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-b2-product-v-services","category-coronavirus","category-product","category-mandatory-category"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8419"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8419\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9602,"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8419\/revisions\/9602"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm360.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}