Verified.me – one of the best blockchain user cases?

T

Take the government’s Employment and Social Development Canada unit, the big six Canadian retail banks and SecureKey Technologies Verified.me digital identity network and you have one of the most significant user cases of blockchain currently up and running.

Verified.Me logotype. Credit: Verified.Me

The local banks have been in from the start, some two years ago. And now Employment and Social Development Canada is backing the use of SecureKey Technologies blockchain-based digital identity service, Verified.me.

As SecureKey Technologies founder and CEO Greg Wolfond tells EPI, the service enables consumers to control their personal information. Moreover, consumers determine with whom the information is shared and what they can do with it. And lastly, it also provides access to banking in a way that makes it easy to prove you are who say you are.

Th banks like it, consumers like it and so it is no surprise that the government is also on board. Specifically, Employment and Social Development Canada is adopting Verified.Me to streamline digital identity verification for Canadians registering with My Service Canada.

The My Service Canada Account is a secure online portal. Canadians can apply, view and update their information for employment insurance, pension, pension plan disability and old age security.

SecureKey Technologies Verified.Me service securely confirms personal information consumers share from one of the six major financial institutions in Canada. Crucially, consumers must give their consent.

The six major retail banks are RBC, Scotiabank, TD, BMO, CIBC and Desjardins.

Moreover, Verified.Me has no access to the users’ banking information. This is protected with strong security protocols to prevent personal information from being identified, accessed or misused. Verified.Me is the recommended real-time alternative to the in-person or PAC (Personal Access Code) identity verification methods.

Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development welcomes the adoption of Verified.Me. “During these challenging times, our government’s focus is to help reduce barriers faced by Canadians every day to ensure they can quickly access essential programmes and services when they need them the most. Today’s news is a significant step in the right direction for millions of Canadians. It will make accessing this next-generation technology not only more convenient, but ensure their security along the way.”

Wolfond adds: “We’re thrilled to continue advancing the digital landscape in Canada. This offers users a streamlined avenue to verify their identity when registering for their MSCA. It uses information they consent to share to gain access to government services they need.”

Interview: EPI speaks with SecureKey Technologies founder and CEO Greg Wolfond

Mathew Mehrotra, Chief Digital Officer, BMO Bank of Montreal is also a fan: “We are proud to be a part of this effort. We look forward to enabling Canadians to seamlessly access the products and services they need.”

Kevin Paget, VP, Digital Strategy and User Experience, CIBC adds: “We’re thrilled to support the expansion of the digital landscape.” It is a similar story at RBC. Says Rami Thabet, VP, Digital Product, RBC: “When it comes to safeguarding private information, consumers place an immense amount of trust in financial institutions to have the proper security standards and safeguards in place. Verified.Me increases user confidence with its strong security protocols that protect our clients’ personal information.”

And finally, Shawn Rose, Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer, Scotiabank adds his backing. “Providing customers with secure digital solutions that meet their remote needs is a top priority for Scotiabank. Verified.Me is an essential service for the Bank as it helps our customers bank the way they want to – with their consent – more confidently and securely.”