Canada Unveils a New Blockchain-based ID Scheme for International Travel
As several businesses and companies around the globe are experimenting with the blockchain technology in a bid to improve its services, this time it is the Canadian government which is finding an interesting application of this revolutionary tech.
In a partnership with Accenture, the Canadian government has launched a new blockchain-based ID scheme which is named as “Known Traveller Digital Identity.” As per the official press release, this scheme “utilises biometrics, cryptography and distributed ledger technology to give travellers control over, and the ability to share their information with authorities in advance of travel for expedited clearance.”
This project was first presented by the Canadian government at the World Economic Forum 2018 held in Davos, Switzerland. This is basically a king of border security project where travellers will have to share their digital IDs with airports and authorities, beforehand.
The “Known Traveller Digital Identity” project is looking forward to blockchain technology in addition to artificial intelligence and biometrics for enhanced security in order to address in order to address cyber-security threats and simplify traveling procedures, according to WEF.
Some of the prominent names in the list of partners for this project includes the US Department of Homeland Security, The Transport Canada state department, and the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice. In addition to Accenture, a few other companies include Google, Visa, and Hilton Worldwide.
John Moavenzadeh, head of the WEF’s Mobility System Initiative, was quoted as saying: “With travellers providing access to verified personal biometric, biographic and historical travel data at their discretion, they can assist authorities to undertake risk assessments and pre-screening in advance: essentially verifying their identities and providing secure and seamless movement throughout their journey using biometric recognition technology.”
On this ongoing development, Canada’s minister of transport, Marc Garneau, commented: “Innovation is key to enhancing global competitiveness, mobility and productivity. Leveraging new technological advancements can support risk-based approaches to public safety and security, making air travel more efficient while improving the travel experience.”
Garneau further stated that this project would “provide opportunities to make security for air travel more efficient while improving the traveller experience.”
The first phase of the project will undergo through pilots where Canada will be working in collaboration with Netherlands to apply it in blockchains.