An IBM division is launching a blockchain-based health verification system designed to help individuals safely return to shared physical spaces like work, school, flights or stadiums.
- IBM Watson Health, a data, analytics and technology company working within the health industry, announced Monday its Digital Health Pass would allow organizations to establish their own criteria for COVID-19 health verification.
- These include test results and temperature scans that can be generated for an individualâÂÂs pass, and recorded and shared using the IBM Blockchain network.
- Organizations are seeking solutions to aid the return to public spaces, according to general manager of IBM Watson Health Paul Roma, yet they also need to protect usersâ privacy.
- The digital pass will use âÂÂsophisticated cryptographic techniquesâ in order to verify individualsâ health statuses while ensuring the underlying data does not become public, the company said.
- Users can manage their information through an encrypted smartphone wallet app, according to the projectâÂÂs website.
- They can load health results, like COVID-19 tests, by scanning a QR code into the app, which can then be viewed by parties with access to the userâÂÂs data.
See also: Privacy Group Slams California Bill That Would Put Health Records on the Blockchain
Related Stories
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.