Network Programming in .NET

https://www.kbaapi.de/

Germany represents Europe’s largest automotive market and home to world-renowned manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen. Unlike most vehicle registration APIs that use license plates, the German Vehicle API operates using KBA numbers (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt codes) – unique identifiers registered with the Federal Motor Transport Authority. (https://www.kbaapi.de/)

Understanding the German KBA System

The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) is Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority, responsible for vehicle type approvals and maintaining the central database of vehicle specifications. Every vehicle model sold in Germany receives a unique KBA number that identifies its exact specifications, engine type, and technical details.

What is a KBA Number?

A KBA number consists of two parts in the format HSN/TSN:

• HSN (Herstellerschlüsselnummer) – Manufacturer key number
• TSN (Typschlüsselnummer) – Type key number

Together, these numbers uniquely identify a specific vehicle model variant, including engine specifications, body type, and equipment levels.

Where to Find KBA Numbers

KBA numbers can be found in several locations on German vehicle documentation:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (Part 1) – Fields 2.1 and 2.2
• Vehicle Registration Document – Boxes 2 and 3
• Certificate of Conformity – Technical documentation
• Insurance Documents – Often included in policy details

German Vehicle API Features

The German endpoint provides comprehensive technical specifications for vehicles registered in Germany:

Available Data

When querying German vehicle records using KBA numbers, you can retrieve:

• Make and Model – Complete manufacturer and model designation
• Engine Specifications – Power in both KW and horsepower (PS)
• Engine Capacity – Displacement in cubic centimeters
• Fuel Type – Petrol (Benzin), diesel, electric, or hybrid classifications
• Technical Period – Years of manufacture for this specification
• Representative Images – Visual identification of the vehicle type

Sample Response Format

{
  "Description": "ALFA GIULIETTA Spider 1.3 [196101 - 196212] (59kW 80hp Otto AR 00508)",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "alfa romeo"
  },
  "CarModel": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "GIULIETTA SPIDER"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "alfa romeo"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "GIULIETTA SPIDER"
  },
  "PowerKW": 59,
  "PowerHP": 80,
  "EngineSize": 1281,
  "Fuel": "Benzin"
}

API Implementation

Endpoint Usage

The German Vehicle API uses the /CheckGermany endpoint and requires two parameters:

1. KBA Number – In HSN/TSN format (e.g., “4000/305”)
2. Username – Your API authentication username

Basic Implementation Example

// JavaScript example for German KBA lookup
async function lookupGermanVehicle(kbaNumber, username) {
  const apiUrl = `https://www.regcheck.org.uk/api/reg.asmx/CheckGermany?KBANumber=${kbaNumber}&username=${username}`;
  
  try {
    const response = await fetch(apiUrl);
    const xmlText = await response.text();
    
    // Parse XML response
    const parser = new DOMParser();
    const xmlDoc = parser.parseFromString(xmlText, "text/xml");
    const jsonData = xmlDoc.getElementsByTagName("vehicleJson")[0].textContent;
    const vehicleInfo = JSON.parse(jsonData);
    
    return {
      make: vehicleInfo.MakeDescription.CurrentTextValue,
      model: vehicleInfo.ModelDescription.CurrentTextValue,
      powerKW: vehicleInfo.PowerKW,
      powerHP: vehicleInfo.PowerHP,
      engineSize: vehicleInfo.EngineSize,
      fuel: vehicleInfo.Fuel,
      description: vehicleInfo.Description
    };
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('German KBA lookup failed:', error);
    return null;
  }
}

// Usage example
lookupGermanVehicle("4000/305", "your_username")
  .then(data => {
    if (data) {
      console.log(`Vehicle: ${data.make} ${data.model}`);
      console.log(`Power: ${data.powerKW}kW (${data.powerHP}hp)`);
      console.log(`Engine: ${data.engineSize}cc ${data.fuel}`);
    }
  });

Python Implementation

import requests
import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
import json

def lookup_german_vehicle(kba_number, username):
    """
    Look up German vehicle data using KBA number
    
    Args:
        kba_number (str): KBA number in format "HSN/TSN"
        username (str): API username
        
    Returns:
        dict: Vehicle specifications or None if not found
    """
    url = "https://www.regcheck.org.uk/api/reg.asmx/CheckGermany"
    params = {
        'KBANumber': kba_number,
        'username': username
    }
    
    try:
        response = requests.get(url, params=params)
        response.raise_for_status()
        
        # Parse XML response
        root = ET.fromstring(response.content)
        json_element = root.find('.//vehicleJson')
        
        if json_element is not None and json_element.text:
            vehicle_data = json.loads(json_element.text)
            
            return {
                'make': vehicle_data.get('MakeDescription', {}).get('CurrentTextValue'),
                'model': vehicle_data.get('ModelDescription', {}).get('CurrentTextValue'),
                'power_kw': vehicle_data.get('PowerKW'),
                'power_hp': vehicle_data.get('PowerHP'),
                'engine_size': vehicle_data.get('EngineSize'),
                'fuel_type': vehicle_data.get('Fuel'),
                'description': vehicle_data.get('Description')
            }
        else:
            return None
            
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error looking up KBA {kba_number}: {e}")
        return None

# Example usage
vehicle_info = lookup_german_vehicle("4000/305", "your_username")
if vehicle_info:
    print(f"Make: {vehicle_info['make']}")
    print(f"Model: {vehicle_info['model']}")
    print(f"Power: {vehicle_info['power_kw']}kW ({vehicle_info['power_hp']}hp)")
    print(f"Engine: {vehicle_info['engine_size']}cc")
    print(f"Fuel: {vehicle_info['fuel_type']}")

German Automotive Market Context

Major German Manufacturers

The German automotive industry is dominated by several world-leading manufacturers, each with distinct KBA number ranges:

Luxury Brands:

• Mercedes-Benz – Known for luxury sedans, SUVs, and commercial vehicles
• BMW – Premium vehicles including the iconic 3 Series, 5 Series, and X-series SUVs
• Audi – Volkswagen Group’s luxury division with quattro all-wheel drive technology

Volume Manufacturers:

• Volkswagen – Europe’s largest automaker with diverse model range
• Opel – German subsidiary of Stellantis (formerly General Motors)
• Ford Germany – American manufacturer’s European operations

Specialist Manufacturers:

• Porsche – High-performance sports cars and SUVs
• Smart – City cars and electric vehicles
• Maybach – Ultra-luxury vehicles

Technical Specifications in German Data

German vehicle data typically includes precise technical specifications reflecting the country’s rigorous automotive standards:

Engine Data:

• Power ratings in both KW (European standard) and PS (German horsepower)
• Precise displacement measurements in cubic centimeters
• Detailed fuel type classifications including Euro emission standards

Period Information:

• Exact production periods showing when specifications were valid
• Model year ranges for specific technical configurations
• Regulatory compliance periods

Use Cases for German KBA API

Insurance Industry Applications

Premium Calculation:

• Access precise power ratings for risk assessment
• Engine size data for determining insurance categories
• Technical specifications for replacement value calculations

Claims Processing:

• Verify vehicle specifications for parts compatibility
• Confirm power ratings for performance-related claims
• Validate technical data for repair cost estimates

Automotive Industry

Parts and Service:

• Identify correct parts using precise technical specifications
• Determine service intervals based on engine types
• Verify compatibility for aftermarket components

Vehicle Trading:

• Accurate vehicle descriptions for used car listings
• Specification verification for import/export documentation
• Technical data for vehicle valuations

Fleet Management

Asset Tracking:

• Maintain detailed technical records of company vehicles
• Power and fuel type data for operational planning
• Engine specifications for maintenance scheduling

Compliance Monitoring:

• Verify emissions standards for environmental regulations
• Power ratings for driver license category compliance
• Technical data for safety inspections

Development and Research

Market Analysis:

• Technical specification trends in German automotive market
• Power and efficiency data for competitive analysis
• Fuel type distribution for market research

Regulatory Compliance:

• Emission standard verification for import/export
• Technical data for type approval processes
• Specification validation for regulatory filings

KBA Number Validation and Best Practices

Input Validation

function validateKBANumber(kbaNumber) {
  // KBA format: HSN/TSN (e.g., "4000/305")
  const kbaPattern = /^\d{4}\/\d{3}$/;
  
  if (!kbaNumber) {
    return { valid: false, error: "KBA number is required" };
  }
  
  if (!kbaPattern.test(kbaNumber)) {
    return { 
      valid: false, 
      error: "Invalid KBA format. Expected format: XXXX/XXX (e.g., 4000/305)" 
    };
  }
  
  const [hsn, tsn] = kbaNumber.split('/');
  
  if (parseInt(hsn) < 1000 || parseInt(hsn) > 9999) {
    return { valid: false, error: "HSN must be between 1000 and 9999" };
  }
  
  if (parseInt(tsn) < 1 || parseInt(tsn) > 999) {
    return { valid: false, error: "TSN must be between 001 and 999" };
  }
  
  return { valid: true };
}

// Example usage
const validation = validateKBANumber("4000/305");
if (validation.valid) {
  // Proceed with API call
} else {
  console.error(validation.error);
}

Error Handling

class GermanVehicleAPI:
    def __init__(self, username):
        self.username = username
        self.base_url = "https://www.regcheck.org.uk/api/reg.asmx/CheckGermany"
    
    def validate_kba_format(self, kba_number):
        """Validate KBA number format"""
        if not kba_number or '/' not in kba_number:
            return False, "KBA number must contain HSN/TSN format"
        
        try:
            hsn, tsn = kba_number.split('/')
            if len(hsn) != 4 or len(tsn) != 3:
                return False, "HSN must be 4 digits, TSN must be 3 digits"
            
            int(hsn)  # Validate numeric
            int(tsn)  # Validate numeric
            return True, "Valid format"
        except ValueError:
            return False, "HSN and TSN must be numeric"
    
    def lookup(self, kba_number):
        """Lookup vehicle by KBA number with comprehensive error handling"""
        # Validate format
        is_valid, message = self.validate_kba_format(kba_number)
        if not is_valid:
            return {"error": message}
        
        try:
            response = requests.get(self.base_url, params={
                'KBANumber': kba_number,
                'username': self.username
            }, timeout=10)
            
            if response.status_code == 404:
                return {"error": "KBA number not found in database"}
            
            response.raise_for_status()
            
            # Parse response
            root = ET.fromstring(response.content)
            json_element = root.find('.//vehicleJson')
            
            if json_element is None or not json_element.text:
                return {"error": "No vehicle data available for this KBA number"}
            
            return json.loads(json_element.text)
            
        except requests.Timeout:
            return {"error": "API request timed out"}
        except requests.RequestException as e:
            return {"error": f"API request failed: {str(e)}"}
        except ET.ParseError:
            return {"error": "Invalid XML response from API"}
        except json.JSONDecodeError:
            return {"error": "Invalid JSON data in response"}

# Usage
api = GermanVehicleAPI("your_username")
result = api.lookup("4000/305")

if "error" in result:
    print(f"Lookup failed: {result['error']}")
else:
    print(f"Vehicle found: {result.get('Description')}")

Comparison with License Plate Systems

Why KBA Numbers Instead of License Plates?

The German system’s use of KBA numbers instead of license plates reflects several key differences:

Technical Precision:

• KBA numbers identify exact technical specifications
• License plates only identify individual vehicles
• Multiple vehicles can share the same KBA specifications

Privacy Protection:

• KBA lookups don’t reveal personal ownership information
• License plate systems often include owner data
• Complies with strict German data protection laws (GDPR)

Standardization:

• KBA numbers are consistent across all German states
• License plate formats vary by region and time period
• Technical specifications remain constant regardless of registration location

Alternative: German License Plate Availability

For developers specifically needing German license plate availability checking, a separate service is available through RapidAPI. However, this service only checks if a license plate combination is available for registration, not vehicle specifications.

Data Coverage and Limitations

Coverage Scope

• Complete KBA Database – All vehicles approved for German market
• Historical Data – Vehicles from 1960s onwards
• Technical Accuracy – Official specifications from Federal Motor Transport Authority
• Regular Updates – Database maintained with current approvals

Limitations

• KBA Number Required – Cannot lookup by license plate
• German Market Only – Covers vehicles approved for German sale
• Technical Focus – Provides specifications, not ownership data
• Import Vehicles – Limited data for non-German market vehicles

Getting Started with German KBA API

Account Setup Process

1. Register Account – Sign up at regcheck.org.uk
2. Email Verification – Confirm account to receive test credits
3. Test with Sample Data – Use KBA number “4000/305” for testing
4. Production Setup – Purchase credits for live applications

Sample KBA Numbers for Testing

• 4000/305 – Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider 1.3L
• Test this KBA number without consuming credits during development

Integration Planning

• Determine if your application needs KBA number input from users
• Consider how to help users locate their KBA numbers
• Plan for error handling when KBA numbers aren’t found
• Design UI to display technical specifications clearly

Conclusion

The German Vehicle KBA API provides unique access to precise technical specifications for vehicles in the German market. By using official KBA numbers rather than license plates, the system offers technical accuracy while maintaining privacy compliance.

The API serves various industries from insurance and automotive services to fleet management and regulatory compliance. With proper implementation and error handling, developers can integrate reliable German vehicle specification data into their applications.

Understanding the KBA system’s technical focus and format requirements is essential for successful integration. The system’s precision makes it particularly valuable for applications requiring exact vehicle specifications rather than general identification data.

Ready to access German vehicle technical data? Register for your API account and start exploring the comprehensive KBA database today.
https://www.kbaapi.de/

When was the last time you tried to decode a VIN for an RV, specialty trailer, or electric scooter only to get a frustrating “manufacturer not found” error? If you’ve worked with vehicle data beyond mainstream cars and trucks, you’ve probably hit this wall more times than you’d care to count.

The standard NHTSA VIN decoder works brilliantly for Ford, Toyota, and GM vehicles. But what happens when you’re dealing with a Highland Ridge travel trailer, a Segway electric scooter, or a custom-built utility trailer? You’re often left with nothing but the basic World Manufacturer Identifier and a lot of guesswork.

That’s exactly the problem that led us to create NicheVinDecoder – an open-source .NET library specifically designed to decode VINs from the manufacturers that traditional decoders leave behind.

The Problem: A Tale of Two VIN Decoders

Picture this scenario: You’re building an application for an RV dealership. A customer walks in with a 2023 Highland Ridge Open Range travel trailer, VIN number 58TBM0BU8P3A13051. You run it through a standard VIN decoder and get:

Manufacturer: Highland Ridge RV (maybe)
Model Year: 2023
Everything else: Unknown

But with NicheVinDecoder, that same VIN reveals:

Manufacturer: Highland Ridge RV
Model Year: 2023
Model: Open Range 330BHS Travel Trailer
Body Style: RV Trailer [Standard] Enclosed Living Quarters
Trailer Type: Ball Pull (Travel Trailer)
Axle Configuration: Two Axles (Tandem)
Length: 38 ft - less than 40 ft
Plant Location: 3195 N. SR 5, Shipshewana, IN 46565
Model Code: A1 (330BHS)
Sequential Production Number: 3051

The difference is dramatic. Instead of generic data, you get actionable information that can drive business decisions, inventory management, and customer service.

🔗 Check out NicheVinDecoder on GitHub

Who This Library Is For

NicheVinDecoder isn’t trying to replace existing VIN decoders – it’s designed to complement them. It’s perfect for developers working with:

RV and Trailer Industry

• Dealership management systems
• Insurance applications
• Parts lookup systems
• Rental platforms

Specialty Vehicle Markets

• Electric vehicle fleets
• Industrial equipment tracking
• Custom manufacturer databases
• International vehicle imports

Data Integration Projects

• Vehicle history reports
• Fleet management systems
• Auction platforms
• Compliance tracking

The Technical Architecture

We built NicheVinDecoder with extensibility as the core principle. The library uses a factory pattern that automatically detects which decoder to use based on the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI):

csharp

// Simple usage
var result = VinDecoder.Decode("58TBM0BU8P3A13051");

if (result.IsValid)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Manufacturer: {result.Manufacturer}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Model: {result.Model}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Plant: {result.AdditionalProperties["PlantLocation"]}");
}

Each manufacturer decoder inherits from BaseVinDecoder and implements the specific VIN structure for that manufacturer. This means adding support for a new manufacturer is as simple as creating a new class and defining their VIN format.

Current Coverage and Growing

As of today, NicheVinDecoder supports six manufacturers across diverse vehicle types:

ManufacturerVehicle TypesExample ModelsHighland Ridge RVTravel Trailers, Fifth WheelsOpen Range, Mesa Ridge, Go PlayBrinkley RVLuxury Fifth WheelsModel Z, Model GAppalachian TrailersUtility TrailersCar Haulers, Equipment TrailersNine Tech (Segway)Electric ScootersA-Series, B-SeriesXPO ManufacturingCommercial TrailersDry Freight VansLoad Glide TrailersAluminum TrailersFlatbed Trailers

But here’s where it gets exciting – this is just the beginning.

🚀 Contribute to NicheVinDecoder

Real-World Impact

We’re already seeing NicheVinDecoder make a difference in production environments:

RV Dealership Systems: Dealers can now automatically populate inventory details, generate accurate listings, and provide instant vehicle history to customers.

Insurance Applications: Underwriters can access precise vehicle specifications for accurate risk assessment and premium calculation.

Fleet Management: Companies managing specialized vehicle fleets can track detailed asset information for maintenance scheduling and compliance reporting.

The Open Source Advantage

One of the most exciting aspects of NicheVinDecoder is its open-source nature. Every manufacturer decoder is built using publicly available VIN specifications, and we encourage the community to contribute.

Adding a new manufacturer is surprisingly straightforward:

1. Research the VIN Structure: Gather the manufacturer’s VIN specification
2. Create the Decoder Class: Implement the decoding logic
3. Add Unit Tests: Ensure reliability with comprehensive tests
4. Submit a Pull Request: Share your work with the community

We’ve made the contribution process as smooth as possible with detailed documentation, code templates, and examples.

A Community-Driven Future

The beauty of focusing on niche manufacturers is that there’s a passionate community behind each one. RV enthusiasts know Highland Ridge inside and out. Electric vehicle advocates understand every nuance of their chosen brands. Trailer professionals have deep expertise in their specialized equipment.

By tapping into this collective knowledge, NicheVinDecoder can grow to cover hundreds of specialized manufacturers that would never make it into mainstream VIN decoders.

Getting Started

Ready to try NicheVinDecoder in your project? Here’s how to get started:

Installation

bash

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/infiniteloopltd/NicheVinDecoder.git

# Or reference it in your project
# (NuGet package coming soon)

Basic Usage

csharp

using NicheVinDecoder;

var result = VinDecoder.Decode(yourVin);
if (result.IsValid)
{
    // Access rich vehicle data
    var make = result.AdditionalProperties["Make"];
    var plantLocation = result.AdditionalProperties["PlantLocation"];
    // And much more...
}

📖 Full Documentation Available on GitHub

What’s Next?

We have big plans for NicheVinDecoder:

Short Term

• NuGet package for easy installation
• Additional RV manufacturers (Forest River, Thor Industries)
• More electric vehicle brands
• Enhanced error handling and validation

Long Term

• Web API for non-.NET applications
• Machine learning for automatic VIN structure detection
• Integration with popular vehicle databases
• Mobile SDK for field applications

Community Driven

• Whatever manufacturers the community needs most
• International vehicle support
• Specialized industry focus areas

Join the Movement

NicheVinDecoder represents more than just another code library – it’s a movement to ensure that no vehicle gets left behind in our increasingly digital automotive world.

Whether you’re a developer who’s frustrated by VIN decoder limitations, a domain expert with knowledge of a specific manufacturer, or simply someone who believes that open source makes everything better, we’d love to have you join us.

Ways to Get Involved:

🔧 Developers: Contribute decoder classes for manufacturers you know 📚 Domain Experts: Share VIN specifications and vehicle knowledge
🧪 Testers: Help validate decoders with real-world VIN samples 📢 Advocates: Spread the word in your professional networks

⭐ Star NicheVinDecoder on GitHub

Conclusion

Every VIN tells a story. With mainstream vehicles, that story is usually easy to read. But for the millions of specialty vehicles on our roads – the RVs that enable adventure, the trailers that move commerce, the electric scooters that transform urban mobility – those stories have been largely untold.

NicheVinDecoder changes that. By focusing on the forgotten corners of the automotive world and leveraging the power of open source collaboration, we’re building something that couldn’t exist any other way.

The next time you encounter a VIN from a manufacturer you’ve never heard of, don’t just shrug and move on. That vehicle has a story to tell – and with your help, NicheVinDecoder can learn to tell it.

Ready to dive in? Check out the project on GitHub, try it with your own VINs, and let us know what manufacturers you’d like to see supported next.

🎯 Visit NicheVinDecoder on GitHub Today

Have experience with a manufacturer not yet covered by NicheVinDecoder? We’d love to hear from you! Open an issue on GitHub or reach out to discuss adding support for your area of expertise.

As developers, integrating rich user profile data can elevate the experience of our apps, websites, and services. Today, let’s dive into how you can fetch Flickr profile information by email using AvatarAPI, a handy service that consolidates avatar and profile data from multiple platforms — including Flickr.

Why Flickr?

Flickr remains a popular photo-sharing platform with millions of users showcasing their photography. While many apps focus on social media giants like Twitter or LinkedIn, Flickr’s unique focus on imagery and photography makes it valuable for projects centered around visual content or creative communities.

What is AvatarAPI?

AvatarAPI is an API designed to fetch user profile avatars and metadata by providing common identifiers such as emails, usernames, or social media IDs. It supports many sources, including Flickr, making it a one-stop shop for profile enrichment.

How to Fetch Flickr Profile Data via AvatarAPI

When you request Flickr profile info through AvatarAPI, the data is returned in XML format, containing a rich set of fields to help you understand the user behind the email address.

Here’s an example snippet of the raw XML you get from AvatarAPI for a Flickr profile:

xmlCopyEdit<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<rsp stat="ok">
  <person id="12345678@N04" nsid="12345678@N04" ispro="0" is_deleted="0" iconserver="2257" iconfarm="3" path_alias="random_alias" has_stats="0" has_adfree="0" has_free_standard_shipping="0" has_free_educational_resources="0">
    <username>Dr. Random</username>
    <realname>Random Name</realname>
    <location />
    <timezone label="Random City, Random State" offset="+00:00" timezone_id="Europe/London" timezone="57" />
    <description>Random Description</description>
    <photosurl>https://www.flickr.com/photos/random_alias/</photosurl>
    <profileurl>https://www.flickr.com/people/random_alias/</profileurl>
    <mobileurl>https://m.flickr.com/photostream.gne?id=12345678</mobileurl>
    <photos>
      <firstdatetaken>2000-01-01 00:00:00</firstdatetaken>
      <firstdate>946684800</firstdate>
      <count>10</count>
    </photos>
  </person>
</rsp>

Breaking Down the XML

• person attributes:
  • id and nsid: The unique Flickr user ID.
  • ispro: Whether the user has a pro account (1 for yes, 0 for no).
  • is_deleted: Indicates if the account is deleted.
  • iconserver and iconfarm: Used to construct the user’s avatar image URL.
  • path_alias: The user’s Flickr alias, used in URLs.
• Child elements:
  • <username>: The Flickr username.
  • <realname>: The user’s real name, if provided.
  • <location>: Location info, may be empty.
  • <timezone>: Detailed timezone information with label and offset.
  • <description>: User’s personal description or bio.
  • <photosurl>, <profileurl>, <mobileurl>: URLs to various Flickr profile pages.
  • <photos>: Info about user’s photos:
    • <firstdatetaken>: When the user took their first photo.
    • <count>: Number of photos uploaded.

How to Use This Data

With this data, you can:

• Display user avatars and profile links inside your app or website.
• Show contextual user info like location and bio.
• Highlight photography activity through photo counts and dates.
• Personalize user experiences by leveraging timezone and locale info.

Constructing the Avatar URL

Flickr stores user icons using a combination of the iconfarm, iconserver, and nsid. The avatar URL can be built as:

bashCopyEdithttps://farm{iconfarm}.staticflickr.com/{iconserver}/buddyicons/{nsid}.jpg

For example, with iconfarm=3, iconserver=2257, and nsid=12345678@N04:

bashCopyEdithttps://farm3.staticflickr.com/2257/buddyicons/12345678@N04.jpg

Wrapping Up

Thanks to AvatarAPI’s support for Flickr, accessing rich profile data by just knowing a user’s email has never been easier. Whether you’re building a photography community platform, enhancing contact profiles, or adding social proof, the Flickr profile data returned by AvatarAPI can help bring your users’ identities to life.

You can explore the full AvatarAPI docs for Flickr and other providers here: https://docs.avatarapi.com/.

If you want, I can help you write example code snippets in your favorite programming language to get started quickly with AvatarAPI and Flickr!

Happy coding!
— Your Friendly .NET Dev Blog

Scam warning!

TL; DR;
If you get approached by this company for investment. It’s a scam. Evidence below
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1s8PmzNv9YZQI_C50Tx118cqO9REkJgvu?usp=sharing

I got approached by this company, which in the exchange of 2 emails offered a $1M investment. To good to be true. With zero-due diligence. I’ve been trhough similar processes before, and expect a month’s worth of due dilligence document preparation before getting to the point of an offer.

Anyway, so I did due dilligence on them, and specifically, their director:
NRIC/FIN/Passport No. : S8838988C
Name : CHENG YONG TECK
Nationality/Citizenship : SINGAPORE CITIZEN
Address : 10 MARTIN PLACE, #17-14, MARTIN MODERN, SINGAPORE 237963

The director being involved in a bizarre mix of different companies, including immigration ( link ) , weddings, plastic surgery ( link )  , Weight loss, and engineering companies.

 Specifically, the Plastic surgery business has left lots of people our of pocket, and is connected to the other holding company;  quote “Anyway, both Dore Aesthethics and Dore Clinic are owned by Kate Holdings.The Director is Cheng Yong Teck who lives in Orchard Residences. Born in 1988.”

In the age of personalization and integration, being able to retrieve user profile images and basic information programmatically can be invaluable for CRMs, marketing platforms, and analytics systems. AvatarAPI provides a simple yet powerful way to fetch profile data from various providers, including Adobe, just by using an email address.

In this post, we’ll walk through how to retrieve Adobe profile details using AvatarAPI, including how to interpret the JSON response and especially the RawData payload.

📬 Making the Request

To fetch a user’s Adobe profile via AvatarAPI, you’ll need to send a POST request to:

https://avatarapi.com/v2/api.aspx

Here’s a sample request payload:

{
    "username" : "demo",
    "password" : "demo___",
    "provider" : "Adobe",
    "email" : "falecom@sergiolimabroker.com.br"
}

Replace username and password with your actual AvatarAPI credentials.

📦 Sample Response

Here’s what a successful response might look like:

{
    "Name": "",
    "Image": "https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/user/276/63d4f1907178277.60f249006a140.jpg",
    "Valid": true,
    "City": "",
    "Country": "",
    "IsDefault": false,
    "Success": true,
    "RawData": "[{\"type\":\"individual\",\"authenticationMethods\":[{\"id\":\"google\",\"url\":\"https://adobeid-na1.services.adobe.com/renga-idprovider/social/v2/signin/google\"},{\"id\":\"password\",\"url\":null}],\"status\":{\"code\":\"active\",\"reason\":null},\"images\":{\"50\":\"https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/user/50/63d4f1907178277.60f249006a140.jpg\",\"100\":\"https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/user/100/63d4f1907178277.60f249006a140.jpg\",\"115\":\"https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/user/115/63d4f1907178277.60f249006a140.jpg\",\"138\":\"https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/user/138/63d4f1907178277.60f249006a140.jpg\",\"230\":\"https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/user/230/63d4f1907178277.60f249006a140.jpg\",\"276\":\"https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/user/276/63d4f1907178277.60f249006a140.jpg\"},\"hasT2ELinked\":false}]",
    "Source": {
        "Name": "Adobe"
    }
}

🧠 Understanding the Response Fields

• Image: URL of the profile image, typically hosted on Behance CDN.
• Valid: Boolean indicating whether a profile was found.
• IsDefault: Tells you whether the image is a generic placeholder or a custom user-uploaded image.
• Success: Boolean status of the request.
• Source: Confirms that the provider is Adobe.
• RawData: This is a stringified JSON array with more granular details from the provider.

🔍 Deep Dive into RawData

Let’s parse the RawData field for a better understanding:

[
  {
    "type": "individual",
    "authenticationMethods": [
      {
        "id": "google",
        "url": "https://adobeid-na1.services.adobe.com/renga-idprovider/social/v2/signin/google"
      },
      {
        "id": "password",
        "url": null
      }
    ],
    "status": {
      "code": "active",
      "reason": null
    },
    "images": {
      "50":  "https://...50.jpg",
      "100": "https://...100.jpg",
      "115": "https://...115.jpg",
      "138": "https://...138.jpg",
      "230": "https://...230.jpg",
      "276": "https://...276.jpg"
    },
    "hasT2ELinked": false
  }
]

Key Elements:

• type: Usually "individual", indicating a personal profile.
• authenticationMethods: Shows available login methods for this Adobe account (e.g., Google, password).
• status: Account status, with code typically being "active".
• images: Dictionary of image sizes for the profile picture. Useful for responsive UI.
• hasT2ELinked: Indicates whether the account is linked to two-factor authentication (T2E = Two-step or Two-element?).

🎯 Practical Use Case

If you’re building a user-facing dashboard, you can display a verified profile image directly using the Image field, and optionally allow your backend to parse RawData for more advanced logic, such as:

• Detecting authentication methods.
• Validating account status.
• Choosing image resolution dynamically based on device.

Example (JavaScript):

const profileImgUrl = response.Image;
document.getElementById('avatar').src = profileImgUrl;

🧪 Pro Tip: Parsing RawData

Since RawData is a stringified JSON array, you’ll need to parse it manually:

const rawData = JSON.parse(response.RawData);
console.log(rawData[0].authenticationMethods);

✅ Conclusion

Using AvatarAPI, retrieving Adobe profile details is seamless and efficient. The rich JSON response, especially the RawData, provides developers with a powerful toolkit to enhance user profiles, drive personalization, or even verify identity with minimal effort.

If you’re using AvatarAPI in production or need help parsing the Adobe-specific data, feel free to reach out or drop your questions in the comments!