Brazil is rolling out a new national identification program supported by blockchain technology. Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, and Paraná will be the first states to issue online identity documents.
The government recently announced that over 214 million Brazilians will soon be using blockchain technology for digital identification. Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, and Paraná will be the first states to issue online ID through a dedicated blockchain developed by Serpro, Brazil’s national data processing service. The entire country will be able to issue identity documents through blockchain technology by November 6th, according to a decree issued on September 25th.
According to Alexandre Amorim, President of Serpro, the immutability and decentralization of blockchain make it an ideal technology for the nation’s digital identification project:
“Blockchain technology plays a crucial role in protecting personal data and preventing fraud, providing a safer digital experience for Brazilian citizens. Using the b-Cadastros blockchain platform significantly enhances the security and reliability of the National ID Card project.”
Local authorities state that the national ID project is essential in the fight against organized crime, allowing government agencies to collaborate more effectively and simplify access to services and administrative records. Buenos Aires, Argentina, recently unveiled a similar initiative, enabling citizens to access identification documents through digital wallets.
In recent years, Brazil has been working to standardize the issuance of identity documents across its nearly 30 states. The new technology implementation, as announced, will enable more secure data exchange between the Federal Revenue Office and government agencies.
Another significant development in the country is the central bank’s digital currency, set to launch soon. The government provided further details about the project in August, rebranding the digital currency as Drex.
According to previous reports, the central bank plans to expand businesses’ access to capital through a tokenized system linked to Drex. According to a local developer, the Drex code allows the central agency to freeze funds or reduce balances.