Government issued identification is one of the areas that garners a lot of attention in terms of the potential uses of blockchain technology outside the world of fintech. One driver is the susceptibility of existing systems to hacking and the attendant risk of identity theft. Another is the simple unwieldly system of so many government issued IDs — birth certificates, drivers licenses, passports, social security cards — all of which are paper-based in the U.S. Estonia, perhaps the most digitally advanced government in the world, uses blockchain for national IDs and to secure health records. There are reports that Canada, Dubai and Australia are trialing the use of blockchain technology in identity management. And, in a report filed yesterday, the Illinois Blockchain Task Force identified stated resident identification as one of the areas it suggests pursuing with blockchain technology.
Blockchain and Government IDs
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David Zaslowsky
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David Zaslowsky has a degree in computer science and, before going to Yale Law School, was a computer programmer. His practice focuses on international litigation and arbitration. He has been involved in cases in trial and appellate courts across the United States and before arbitral institutions around the world. Many of David’s cases, including some patent cases, have related to technology. David has been included in Chambers for his expertise in international arbitration. He is the editor of the firm's blockchain blog.