Nibras Stiebar-Bang believes blockchain could assist the European Union’s digital identification initiatives.
The European Union’s transfer in the direction of a unified digital identification system goals to boost regional comfort and safety. Nonetheless, Concordium CTO and CPO Nibras Stiebar-Bang cautions that such efforts should steadiness improved entry with stringent privateness safeguards.
In an interview with crypto.information, Stiebar-Bang acknowledged the intent behind standardized digital IDs to ease id verification for residents accessing companies throughout EU member states.
“It’s going to convey added comfort to each residents and establishments requiring ID verification,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, the blockchain skilled warned that such comfort can’t undermine private information safety. “Privateness and information safety” should stay priorities, Stiebar-Bang emphasised, noting apprehensions round elevated “digital surveillance” and centralized information storage that might show alluring hacking targets.
Mitigating privateness pitfalls
In line with Stiebar-Bang, the success of digital ID programs relies upon closely on particular person nation implementations and the blockchain options they select to underpin id administration.
He highlighted the significance of decentralized platforms with strong id layers incorporating zero-knowledge proof expertise. Such cryptography allows id verification with out exposing private particulars, granting customers management over what data they share.
EU policymakers should additionally drive understanding of those privacy-preserving capacities via public outreach, Stiebar-Bang suggested. Citing residents’ prevailing surveillance considerations, he mentioned conveying how zk-proofs and decentralized programs perform will likely be important for public belief.
The necessity for collaboration
Whereas the EU intends blockchain to bolster the safety and privateness of digital IDs, Stiebar-Bang cautioned that efficiently delivering on this promise requires shut trade collaboration.
“Leaders within the blockchain trade have to be concerned in these conversations and pilot initiatives,” he mentioned. Past consulting implementations, he suggested fostering analysis partnerships with universities to include numerous experience.
Tapping steerage from established gamers just like the EU can overcome pitfalls to comprehend digital IDs’ societal promise. However an inclusive, clear strategy stays important.
“If applied correctly,” Stiebar-Bang added, self-sovereign digital id can grant residents unprecedented management over their private data – a “important milestone” in itself.
