In a groundbreaking announcement, the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN), a national-level blockchain initiative in China, has revealed plans to employ blockchain technology for verifying the real-name identities of the country’s vast population of 1.4 billion people.
This initiative, named RealDID, is spearheaded by China’s Ministry of Public Security in collaboration with BSN. While it seeks to enhance online security and data privacy, it is expected to raise concerns among data-privacy advocates worldwide.
The RealDID initiative is set to revolutionize how individuals verify their identities online in China. This system will enable users to register and log in to websites while maintaining their anonymity through the use of Decentralized Identifier (DID) addresses and private keys. The primary goal of RealDID is to ensure that personal information remains segregated from business data and transactions, thereby enhancing security and privacy in the digital realm.
China’s top six social media platforms, including giants such as WeChat, Sina Weibo, Douyin, Kuaishou, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu, have mandated content creators with substantial followings to publicly disclose their real names or the names of their financial backers.
This move, as reported by state media in October, aims to bolster credibility and enable greater public supervision over online content. With the implementation of RealDID, it is expected that these platforms will have a more streamlined and secure mechanism for real-name verification, further reinforcing trust in their services.
According to an official release from BSN, RealDID represents the world’s first national-level decentralized identity system. This groundbreaking development underscores China’s commitment to harnessing blockchain technology for the betterment of society and online security. The initiative is expected to set a precedent for other nations seeking innovative solutions for identity verification in the digital age.
The collaborators behind RealDID
BSN China is a collaborative effort spearheaded by China’s National Information Center, in partnership with prominent Chinese tech giants such as China Mobile and China UnionPay. The international operations of BSN are managed independently by BSN Global, a separate entity with stringent security measures in place. This separation is designed to maintain data privacy and ensure that international users can have confidence in the system’s integrity.
While the RealDID initiative holds great promise in terms of enhancing online security and data privacy, it also raises concerns among data-privacy advocates. The use of blockchain technology for identity verification, especially at a national level, brings into question the potential for mass surveillance and government control over individuals’ online activities.
It remains to be seen how the Chinese government will address these concerns and strike a balance between security and privacy. The implementation of RealDID has the potential to influence global discussions surrounding identity verification and data privacy. As the world’s most populous nation adopts this cutting-edge technology, other countries may look to China as a model for secure and efficient identity verification systems. This initiative could also catalyze further advancements in blockchain technology and its applications in various sectors.
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