Blockchain technology will be used by Brazil to establish its new national identity programme. As the first states to issue identification documents on-chain, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, and Paraná will do so. The government recently said that over 214 million Brazilians will soon use blockchain technology for digital identity.
As part of a private blockchain created by Serpro, Brazil’s national data processing agency, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, and Paraná will be the first states to issue identification documents on-chain. By November 6, the entire nation should be able to issue identity documents using blockchain technology, according to a regulation from September 25.
The immutability and decentralisation of the blockchain made it the perfect technology for the nation’s digital identification initiative, according to Alexandre Amorim, president of Serpro:
“Blockchain technology is essential for safeguarding private information and combating fraud, providing Brazilians with a safer online experience. The National Identity Card project’s security and dependability have been greatly improved by utilising the b-Cadastros blockchain technology”
The national ID initiative is essential, according to the local government, in tackling organised crime, enabling government sectors to collaborate, providing a more straightforward way to obtain services, and streamlining administrative records. A similar project, allowing people to access identity documents through a digital wallet, was recently announced by the city of Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Brazil has been attempting to standardise identity issuing across its nearly 30 states over the past few years. According to the release, the newly adopted technology would enable a more secure data interchange between the Federal Revenue and other government departments.
An future digital currency issued by the central bank is another important development in the nation. In August, the government provided more details on the initiative and changed the name of the digital currency to Drex.
The central bank intends to increase corporate access to finance via a tokenization system connected to the Drex, according to earlier reports. According to a local developer, the Drex code was found to enable a central authority to freeze payments or lower balances.