The city of Buenos Aires has unveiled a cutting-edge digital identity system that emphasizes user privacy through zero-knowledge technology.
The Argentine government has incorporated QuarkID, a blockchain-based identity platform, within its miBA application, which serves over 3.6 million residents, as reported in a Chainwire press release.
Launched on October 1, 2024, this initiative positions Buenos Aires as the first city globally to implement ZK technology for the management of decentralized digital identities.
With the introduction of QuarkID, residents gain enhanced control over their personal information, enabling them to manage important documents like birth certificates and tax records via their smartphones.
Buenos Aires and ZK technology
At the heart of this innovation is zero-knowledge cryptography, a method that allows users to confirm certain information without disclosing unnecessary personal details.
This zero-knowledge technology acts as a protective measure, permitting only the essential data to be shared during verification, thereby safeguarding personal information from exposure in various interactions. Importantly, this ensures that no third party, including governmental entities, can track the use of these credentials.
This stands in contrast to traditional methods where institutions typically hold and manage user data.
The QuarkID blockchain architecture is constructed on the ZKsync Era blockchain, which bolsters security and transparency. By storing personal credentials on a decentralized network, the risks associated with data breaches and identity theft are significantly minimized, as noted in the release.
Buenos Aires intends to broaden the reach of the system to include additional documentation such as driver’s licenses and public permits.
QuarkID has also been trialed in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, with plans for further expansion throughout Argentina.
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