Argentina has launched blockchain identity services, will applications of zk chains like zkSync explode?

The capital city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, recently launched a digital identity service that integrates zero-knowledge proofs into the city's digital services to enhance residents' privacy. As previously mentioned, zero-knowledge proofs are a cryptographic technology that can prove the occurrence of something without revealing personal information. Zero-knowledge proofs are an encryption technology predating cryptocurrencies, but many blockchain technologies utilize zero-knowledge proofs, such as Layer 2. Due to its privacy features, many Proof of Possession (PoP) related applications use zero-knowledge proofs to protect sensitive information.

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Using zk Technology to Protect Unnecessary Information Leakage, QuarkID Integrated into Digital Service System

The miBA is a city digital service system that has been operating in Buenos Aires for seven years. It is now understood that the QuarkID service using zk technology has been integrated into miBA. ZK proofs will allow users' identification documents to be certified by the government without revealing information unrelated to the current task, thus ensuring the information security of 3.6 million citizens of Buenos Aires. The application of using zk technology to protect personal information is conceptually similar to zkKYC mentioned in the world of blockchain.

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For example, when users open miBA on their phones to confirm that they are of legal age to purchase alcohol, they do not need to display their address or even their complete date of birth.
Diego Fernandez, Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation of Buenos Aires, stated, "We decided from the beginning to create a self-sovereign identity system so that citizens can enjoy privacy and security over the documents they own."

Using zkSync to Provide Privacy Proof, Plans to Expand Nationwide and Internationally

Although zero-knowledge proofs do not need to run on the blockchain, QuarkID utilizes Ethereum Layer 2 ZKsync Era, and also operates on public chains such as Polygon, Starknet, and other zkEVMs.

QuarkID stated that blockchain technology is used because it can prove that a piece of data existed on the chain at a specific time and in a specific form. Diego Fernandez believes that relying solely on the date embedded in the certificate data could lead to issues, as malicious tampering could backdate the document.

Currently, over 60 different types of documents, including birth certificates, income tax certificates, and vaccination data, can be uploaded to miBA, and it is officially claimed that neither the Buenos Aires city government nor anyone else has control over these documents. Therefore, citizens do not need to worry about their information being hacked and leaked. The risk of identity theft is significantly reduced as a result.

Diego Fernandez also mentioned that compared to traditional methods, using blockchain significantly reduces the government's costs. This experiment will extend beyond Buenos Aires. The Argentine government is conducting pilot projects in various regions, with Buenos Aires city and the central government signing an intellectual property sharing agreement, followed by the product's nationwide promotion. Additionally, other Latin American countries, including Uruguay, are also conducting experiments.