Buenos Aires to Integrate Blockchain Technology for Digital Identity
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is taking a significant step towards integrating blockchain technology into its bureaucracy. Starting in October, the city’s 15 million residents will be able to access identity documents through a digital wallet. The first documents to be available on-chain include birth and marriage certificates, as well as proof of income and academic verification. Health data and payment management will be integrated in the future, and a roadmap for expanding this blockchain-based solution nationwide will be established by the end of 2023.
QuarkID and zkSync Era Powering the Infrastructure
The digital identity protocol behind this project is QuarkID, developed by Web3 firm Extrimian. QuarkID wallets are powered by zkSync Era, an Ethereum scaling protocol that uses zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-rollups). This technology enables one party to prove the truth of a statement to another party without revealing specific information about the statement itself.
Benefits of Self-Sovereign Data and Settlement Layer
The data stored within these wallets will be self-sovereign, allowing citizens to manage the delivery of their credentials when interacting with government entities, businesses, and individuals. zkSync Era will serve as the settlement layer for QuarkID, ensuring that each citizen possesses the correct credentials.
Buenos Aires Sets Standard for Blockchain Technology Use
“This is a monumental step towards a safer and more efficient future for government services in Latin America,” said Guillermo Villanueva, CEO of Extrimian.
The Argentine government and the City of Buenos Aires aim for their digital identity framework to be a public good. Diego Fernandez, Buenos Aires’ secretary of innovation, stated that with this development, Buenos Aires becomes the first city in Latin America, and one of the first in the world, to integrate and promote this new technology. They hope to set the standard for other countries in the region to utilize blockchain technology for the benefit of their citizens.
Investigation into Worldcoin’s Digital ID Project
Argentine officials are also exploring a similar initiative called Worldcoin, which is a digital ID project in the country. However, concerns over privacy have prompted an investigation into Worldcoin’s collection, storage, and use of customer data. The project has faced scrutiny not only in Argentina but also in Europe and Africa since its global launch in July.
Hot Take: Buenos Aires Pioneering Blockchain-Based Digital Identity
Buenos Aires is taking a groundbreaking step by integrating blockchain technology into its bureaucracy. By allowing residents to access identity documents through a digital wallet, the city is streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. This move sets a precedent for other cities and countries in Latin America to adopt blockchain technology for government services. With self-sovereign data and zkSync Era as the settlement layer, Buenos Aires ensures secure and accurate credentials for its citizens. While investigations into projects like Worldcoin highlight privacy concerns, Buenos Aires remains at the forefront of digital innovation.
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