The government of Buenos Aires has launched a pioneering blockchain-based digital identity system that marks a significant shift from traditional centralized frameworks to a decentralized model, positioning the city as the first major capital to adopt a blockchain-driven digital identity solution on a large scale.
QuarkID is integrated with the city’s widely used miBA mobile app, offering decentralized digital identities (DIDs) to over 3.6 million residents. By using cutting-edge technologies such as zero-knowledge cryptography and the ZKsync Layer 2 blockchain solution, QuarkID enhances the security of digital identities while giving users full ownership over their personal data.
The system’s implementation is rooted in the principles of self-sovereign identity (SSI), in which individuals have control over their digital identities without dependence on centralized authorities. This allows residents to manage their own credentials—such as birth and marriage certificates, proof of income, and academic records—without the oversight of government bodies. The decentralized nature of QuarkID is designed to safeguard users’ privacy, enabling them to decide how and when their credentials are used, with additional support for documents like health data and payment information planned for future expansion.
QuarkID’s rollout was preceded by a successful pilot phase during Aleph, a month-long crypto pop-up event in Buenos Aires. Hundreds of participants used their QuarkID digital identities to conduct transactions, access services, and engage with local merchants. The trial demonstrated the system’s potential to streamline and revolutionize everyday activities such as identity verification and secure payments.
The development of QuarkID was facilitated through a collaboration with Extrimian, a digital identity firm known for its expertise in decentralized identity solutions.
QuarkID adheres to international standards, including those from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Trust Over IP, ensuring it aligns with global best practices. By incorporating these standards, the system provides users with the ability to create and manage their digital identities securely, using asymmetric cryptography and blockchain technology.
The end result is a system designed to empower citizens by transferring ownership of digital credentials directly into their hands, significantly enhancing privacy and security. The initiative has also been recognized as a Digital Public Good by the United Nations, further emphasizing its alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its potential to influence digital identity systems worldwide.
Source: eGamers.io
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October 24, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
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