As the platform is developed under blockchain technology, users are assured that their data will not be manipulated.
One of the main challenges of the current situation of the pandemic is to know people’s health status. It is also difficult to validate whether someone has already been vaccinated and what their status is concerning the Covid-19 disease. However, the state of New York has found the solution in blockchain technology.
New York Governor has announced a kind of blockchain-based passport – the same technology behind Bitcoin – free and voluntary developed in partnership with IBM.
The blockchain passport called the Excelsior Passport serves to confirm data and will be used to check whether a person has been vaccinated for Covid-19 or not.
As part of the launch, the Excelsior Pass can now be used by New Yorkers in theaters, stadiums, weddings, and other events according to state guidelines. The application can now be downloaded for Android and IOS.
Reopening of trade
New York will now not have to keep all of its businesses closed, the app will help accelerate the reopening of businesses according to guidelines from the State Department of Health.
According to the press release, New Yorkers can use the Excelsior Pass to prove they have been vaccinated for covid-19 and thus have access to public places.
The statement adds that the passport was developed based on IBM’s Digital Health Pass solution and was designed to allow secure verification of health credentials, such as test results and vaccination records, without the need to share medical information.
As the platform is developed under blockchain technology, users are assured that their data will not be manipulated.
New York State is the first US state to formally launch this technology. Prior to its launch, two successful pilot demonstrations were held in the past few weeks, along with a beta test in which thousands of New Yorkers participated in a limited implementation of the technology to provide feedback on the user interface and results.