Uport, a self-sovereign identity and user-centric data platform on the Ethereum blockchain, has made its platform available to the citizens of Zug, Switzerland.
The first official Zug identification registered on the Ethereum blockchain before a live audience, Uport recently announced in a Medium blog.
Access To E-Services
Uport partnered with Zug, commonly known as the “Crypto Valley” for hosting a number of industry startups, on the program to register residential IDs on the blockchain, enabling access to e-services such as proof of residency and online voting. Uport has been developing the platform in cooperation with ti&m, its Swiss partner.
The registration marks a milestone since it demonstrates that a city government can issue a digital verification of citizenship using the Ethereum blockchain.
Uport’s partnership with Zug supports the goal of providing a global, self-sovereign identity system.
Digital citizenship allows greater trust between government agencies and citizens. It also provides opportunities for better digital interactions among governments and citizens.
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Zug plans to offer an e-voting initiative in the Spring of 2018.
Also read: Bitcoin-friendly Swiss city announces Ethereum digital ID pilot
How It Works
After downloading the Uport app, a citizen of Zug registers their Uport ID on the Ethereum blockchain, creating a global identifier. This address is a smart contract address known as a Uport proxy contract.
Citizens register their newly registered Uport ID to sign in to the Zug ID web portal by scanning a QR code. Once the Zug web portal is authenticated, the citizen enters a pre-existing Zug ID number along with personal information. This requires in-person verification by a city administrator.
Once the registration is done, the citizen gets 14 days to visit the Zug office in person with an official government ID document.
The Zug official signs into the admin portal with their Uport ID while they are in the records office. The official can then cross check the citizen’s information against the documents in person. If the application is approved, the citizen receives a Uport citizenship ID.