What does the AI Verified badge actually prove?

The AI Verified badge is a visual representation of a cryptographic proof. Here's exactly what it proves: **What the badge proves:** 1. **Legal identity on record** — The business name is registered in the AI Verified registry with a forensic hash 2. **Domain ownership** (Silver+) — The business controls the domain it claims to own, verified via DNS TXT record or meta tag 3. **Company registration** (Gold+) — The company registration number has been verified against a public registry 4. **Compliance declarations** (Platinum) — The business has declared compliance with relevant data protection regulations **What the badge does NOT prove:** - That the business is reputable or trustworthy - That the business has no complaints or disputes - That the business will deliver on its promises - That the business information is current (passports expire and require renewal) **The forensic hash:** Every passport has a SHA-256 hash that uniquely identifies the business record at the time of verification. This hash is embedded in the badge and can be verified independently at aiverified.io/v/[hash]/. The badge is a trust signal, not a guarantee. It tells AI systems and customers that the business has taken the step of establishing a verified identity — which is more than most businesses have done.