The City of Buenos Aires has made a groundbreaking move by integrating blockchain technology powered by ZKsync into its digital identity platform, miBA, with the help of QuarkID. This pioneering initiative makes Buenos Aires the first government in the world to incorporate a decentralized identity system, setting a new standard for digital public services. Here’s an overview of how this innovative development is transforming the way citizens interact with government services and manage their personal information through ZKsync’s cutting-edge capabilities.
miBA: The City’s Digital Hub
miBA serves as the central digital platform for Buenos Aires residents to access government services, view documents, and schedule appointments. It is where citizens can manage essential records like certificates and tax documents. With the integration of QuarkID on the ZKsync Era blockchain, the platform is taking a significant leap forward, embracing the latest in blockchain technology to enhance security and privacy while offering users the benefits of decentralized systems.
Introducing QuarkID: A Decentralized Digital Identity
QuarkID is an open-source digital trust framework developed in collaboration with blockchain experts from Latin America. Built on ZKsync, it leverages Zero-Knowledge Cryptography (ZK) to allow citizens to have direct control over their digital identities and personal documents. This technology not only ensures secure management of credentials but also enables users to store these securely on their mobile devices with biometric encryption. By consolidating all documents and credentials—from Buenos Aires government-issued IDs to records from other public or private organizations worldwide—QuarkID simplifies the process of accessing and sharing digital documents through the ZKsync blockchain.
The Advantages of Blockchain-Based Identity
Traditional government-issued documents often contain more information than necessary for simple verification. For example, when presenting an ID to prove legal age, sensitive details such as a complete date of birth, address, and document number are exposed. QuarkID, integrated with ZKsync, aims to change this by enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) verification. When credentials are shared P2P, the issuing authority (the government) is not aware of when, where, or why the credential is being used, ensuring citizens’ privacy and eliminating unnecessary data exposure.
How Blockchain Powers miBA’s Identity Revolution
The integration of QuarkID with ZKsync transforms how personal information is managed. Here’s what sets it apart:
1. Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs): A DID is a unique, verifiable identifier stored on the ZKsync Era blockchain. These identifiers are composed of encrypted alphanumeric strings that represent a user’s identity, but they do not reveal any Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The government generates these DIDs, but the data remains secure on the blockchain, preventing unauthorized access or data tampering.
2. Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK Proofs): This cryptographic technique allows individuals to verify information without revealing the actual data. For example, confirming that someone is of legal age can be done simply by scanning a QR code, without exposing any further details.
3. Citizen Empowerment: The integration gives residents full ownership over their data. Credentials stored on their mobile devices can be accessed through secure biometric encryption, ensuring that the user, not the government, controls their digital identity.
miBA’s New Era Begins: What’s Available?
As of October 2024, all 3.6 million active miBA users will be able to use their QuarkID-powered digital identities. This new feature will allow users to manage over 60 types of documents, including:
• Student certificates
• Vaccination records
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Gross income tax documents
• Course certificates issued by the city
Additional documents such as driver’s licenses, high school diplomas, payslips, and lab results will soon be added. With each new integration, miBA continues to grow as a comprehensive hub for citizens’ digital documentation needs, all secured on the ZKsync blockchain.
Expanding Beyond Buenos Aires
Since announcing the QuarkID launch in September 2023, the Buenos Aires government, in collaboration with Extrimian and Matter Labs, has worked diligently to upgrade miBA’s infrastructure. The centralized backend has been replaced with a decentralized one using QuarkID technology on the ZKsync Era blockchain, and the platform’s reach has extended to include pilot programs in Mexico, Colombia, and other regions. The government has also partnered with institutions like Banco Macro, furthering the application of this ZKsync-based technology.
Recognizing QuarkID as a Global Digital Public Good
QuarkID’s recognition as a Digital Public Good (DPG) by international organizations aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This acknowledgment supports the idea of using open-source technology to promote sustainable digital progress globally. The project’s achievements have also been showcased at prominent events, such as ETH Latam, ETHCC, and Govtech 4 Impact.
The Importance of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK Proofs)
ZK Proofs play a crucial role in enhancing privacy. Unlike traditional verification methods that require full data disclosure, ZK technology allows for the confirmation of specific attributes without exposing the underlying data. For example, when proving legal age at a bar, the system confirms eligibility without sharing the person’s complete date of birth or address.
A New Standard for Digital Identity with ZKsync
With QuarkID powered by ZKsync, Buenos Aires is setting a new standard for digital identity and public service. The initiative brings together cutting-edge blockchain technology and a commitment to empowering citizens, providing a more secure, efficient, and private way to manage personal information using ZKsync’s advanced capabilities.
Stay tuned as Buenos Aires continues to redefine digital identity with this groundbreaking initiative.
