Why not "COVID" vaccine passports on a blockchain ID

[NeuroticFish]

It is completely different. For example, if I have been vaccinated by a health official, I will be given the credential about it (and remain to me alone), and also be validated on the decentralized ledger which can be verified through a form that will be given me with a specific cryptographic key which will serves as prove. The form with the specific cryptographic key key will be used to verify if truly I am recorded on the blockchain as one of the people that has been vaccinated. If I want to manipulate in this case, before I can manipulate anything, I will have to make a deal with a health official that do vaccinate people to help me validate a form with a cryptographic key on blockchain. Without this, no way to manipulate, but not compared to physical documents that I can make the fake ones from anywhere which is a lot easier.

1. The ledger will clearly not be decentralized (who would store and mine that and for what incentive?!). That's why it's not better than an ordinary database (it's actually worse).
2. If needed the API that accesses the DB can give you whatever keys and proof they implement, from something basic to cryptographic keys too.
3. I was referring to crooked officials manipulating the data. Either a DB entry is altered or added, either a blockchain entry (unalterable) is added, somebody will get a fake "passport".

All in all, while blockchain is - in theory - not changeable (depends on implementation though, it can be done bad too), as long as somebody can add new records it's not really better than a DB. Also since it's not decentralized, also a hacker can do deeper change (double spend), but indeed, that's more difficult. And since it's cheap to just add a new record, it doesn't make sense to hassle.
So I don't see a real advantage of the (again, centralized) blockchain for this use case.

This is a way our credentials (data) can be safe, it will remain with us than on a third party database, only the form will be on blockchain which has no credential of us. Unlike physical credentials in which blockchain is not used, there must be a database for collecting our vaccination data report. And the positive thing about this is that, it is the method suggested to be used, which will help protect peoples data from third party, although, still at its earliest age.

You know that databases can also be encrypted, right? You know that whoever can access the software creating the blockchain can also read/understand the info, so it's not a difference from the DB, right?

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[Charles-Tim]

You know that databases can also be encrypted, right? You know that whoever can access the software creating the blockchain can also read/understand the info, so it's not a difference from the DB, right?

The companies that encrypt it can easily decrypt it to sell our data for profit, blockchain is the best in my opinion. I do not yet know much about how the blockchain will be, but to my best of knowledge, no personal data will be stored on the blockchain. For example, the cryptographic key will only be like transaction ID (although not transaction ID), which will only reveal if someone is vacinated or not, no other information stored/revealed other than that. No medical officials to store data on any database as it is against the total makeup of the distributed ledger.

[RealMalatesta]

As far as I can remember, there are several projects who already did this (or at least claimed that they're working on blockchain-based COVID passports). ID2020 might be the latest one that I know, they're working with some DPoS blockchain project if I recall correctly.

Pretty sure they won't use Bitcoin or Ethereum network since the cost might be way too much.

It doesn't even need to be a big deal, as far as I remember there were even some small carribean type of nation that actually put all the national ID information on blockchain, since they are island nations even one big fire could destroy all files and yes they can put it on servers but servers could be compromised as well whereas blockchain is something that's all around the world p2p so it will probably not be destroyed ever, could it be hacked? That depends on the software that uses it, but it is at least safe there and can be reached anytime we want.

Same could be used with vaccine passports and it could be on blockchain very easily, it wouldn't take more than 30 days to build something like that and spread it and put all the data in there, just one month. However governments probably didn't want to deal with that since it is a new technology, it is easy but it is new, so they went with the old one.

[zasad@]

This topic could be ended with a phrase about the laws and medical data of citizens.
Each country has its own requirements for medical information on vaccinations, so it makes no sense to use blockchain for these purposes.
I don't think it is the best idea to use blockchain in all infrastructures, including medicine.

[romero121]

This topic could be ended with a phrase about the laws and medical data of citizens.
Each country has its own requirements for medical information on vaccinations, so it makes no sense to use blockchain for these purposes.
I don't think it is the best idea to use blockchain in all infrastructures, including medicine.

Maybe that's true, but when it comes to data management blockchain could've served better. Even with the present vaccination records management it is good to have combined data, but this isn't shared on cross border travel. I don't know how it works, but one of my friend told me about an application in which it automatically reports if someone is not maintaining social distance as well as about rise in body temperature. If that is possible data management can be made precise eliminating unwanted quarantine. However it is the government to make the decision as said in the post.

[AndySt]

This topic could be ended with a phrase about the laws and medical data of citizens.
Each country has its own requirements for medical information on vaccinations, so it makes no sense to use blockchain for these purposes.
I don't think it is the best idea to use blockchain in all infrastructures, including medicine.

Maybe that's true, but when it comes to data management blockchain could've served better. Even with the present vaccination records management it is good to have combined data, but this isn't shared on cross border travel. I don't know how it works, but one of my friend told me about an application in which it automatically reports if someone is not maintaining social distance as well as about rise in body temperature. If that is possible data management can be made precise eliminating unwanted quarantine. However it is the government to make the decision as said in the post.

Maybe because the government authorities do not have a decent and reliable application from developers?  For standard data management, traditional databases are also quite suitable, especially since government organizations have much more experience in using traditional databases than databases built on blockchain technology By the way, I would not be surprised if some country really tries to use blockchain, but I do not think that this will be a mass phenomenon.

[Yatsan]

People are always thinking and linking that things happening in the world can be resolved by means of putting blockchain in between as if it can resolve anything. Remember all things have their own limitations no matter what happen. There could be areas they are very useful and there are things that others can do it on their own. Now with the case of putting info on a blockchain ID whether yoy have got vaccinated or what, it is not already needed for there are documents and medical records since the lifting of the travel ban implemented as a requirement before you can be able to travel and such way is already enough and blockchain will not be already needed to tag along.

[CaVO32]

People are always thinking and linking that things happening in the world can be resolved by means of putting blockchain in between as if it can resolve anything. Remember all things have their own limitations no matter what happen. There could be areas they are very useful and there are things that others can do it on their own. Now with the case of putting info on a blockchain ID whether yoy have got vaccinated or what, it is not already needed for there are documents and medical records since the lifting of the travel ban implemented as a requirement before you can be able to travel and such way is already enough and blockchain will not be already needed to tag along.

I believe, people are just thinking of ways how to make the process easier and smoother. However, authorities are not yet ready to utilize blockchain technology because most of them have no idea where to start. So if in case it will be implemented, it would take time and resources to deliver this kind of project. And right now, people have no interest on this task as there are more pressing matters to attend to. But of course, once this technology is implemented, the life would be much easier. However, it takes time to accomplish this project.

[AndySt]

I believe, people are just thinking of ways how to make the process easier and smoother. However, authorities are not yet ready to utilize blockchain technology because most of them have no idea where to start. So if in case it will be implemented, it would take time and resources to deliver this kind of project. And right now, people have no interest on this task as there are more pressing matters to attend to. But of course, once this technology is implemented, the life would be much easier. However, it takes time to accomplish this project.

I agree with you. The pandemic and related events require a quick and effective response from the state authorities, and the current situation is not conducive to experiments in this area. Let's be honest, that despite some successful experience of implementing blockchain in different areas of public administration, it is still worth recognizing that all this is an isolated case and it is much more convenient for the authorities to use the usual tools that have shown their efficiency in the pre-pandemic time.

[goaldigger]

People are always thinking and linking that things happening in the world can be resolved by means of putting blockchain in between as if it can resolve anything. Remember all things have their own limitations no matter what happen. There could be areas they are very useful and there are things that others can do it on their own. Now with the case of putting info on a blockchain ID whether yoy have got vaccinated or what, it is not already needed for there are documents and medical records since the lifting of the travel ban implemented as a requirement before you can be able to travel and such way is already enough and blockchain will not be already needed to tag along.

Its not that easy to migrate into another system and for sure, blockchain will take time which is unnecessary for a time like this. We know how good blockchain is, but I’m sure government knows also how to create a good system which is already happening in many countries like Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam and many more without even using blockchain technology, so again this is not the top priority as of the moment.

[bussybuddy]

Well, it is very logical, but as you are asking why, there will also be countries that question why use it and its effectiveness is worth it. First of what you're thinking about, I think this phase is all vaccinated, so it will take time to research and integrate it. So I think this has also been a lot of people thinking about it and I think it will be for the future when we have full technology and adoption, the application to any field in life will are all resolved.

[Kittygalore]

I believe that it is a waste of function of blockchain, vaccine passports doesn't need to be that complex, a simple database and simple anti-tampering stickers is enough to do the job. I know that it looks good that it can be part of blockchain but in the long run, I don't think that it is worth it.

[Ucy]

First of all, I will like to address the issue of third parties, with this method, our information are sold just like the way big companies like Amazon, Facebook and Google are selling our data. If big companies like these can sell our day, why can't other companies do just the same, of this way is continuingly to be followed, it will not let peoples private information to be safe, which is the reason we truly need decentralized identity.

Ofcourse (at the bolded). 
In addition to that, a true Decentralized ID has to be privacy/anonymity friendly, ID private information has to be controlled/known by their owners alone, ID verifiers must not be able to store users IDs in anyway, etc

Decentralized ID Scheme has to unique and safer than the centralized ones.

[cheezcarls]

I think ShareRing is already working on it.

They have a concept of COVID passports on the blockchain right here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nisaamoils/2020/08/02/sharering-uses-blockchain-to-solve-self-sovereign-identity-and-proof-of-health-simultaneously/?sh=2b5dc5363e61

I certainly like COVID passports to be integrated by blockchain technology due to it’s transparency, unhackable and tamper-proof technology. Thailand has already started implementing COVID passports, but not sure if they are using their own centralised system or blockchain technology.

I just wish other countries would be doing the same. It would be easy for travelers as long they’re showing the proof that they are completely vaccinated.

[sunsilk]

Because it cannot be modified and with the details and information about the covid vaccine passport, there's still a huge debate towards it. It's still not acceptable for them to use such system like blockchain. And it's about the approval of the government.

As you know, they're not too knowledgeable about blockchain and crypto. And if they'll hear a solution for the vaccine passport like blockchain, the first thing that would come to their minds is that it's only about crypto.

[TommyGunnn]

I thought about this, you could retain anonimity whilst also proving youve had the vaccine! obviouslt being Anon doesnt matter at airports but at bars and such this could help

[mu_enrico]

Have you traveled to 3rd world countries yet? Most of the infrastructure there are ancient and these people hardly have electricity and water, so you will not be able to go to these countries, if that was one of the requirements.

Not really since computers and IT related device is cheap. It's not a problem, especially at the airport.


Anyway, identity on the blockchain is not a new thing, and I believe a few companies are working on it (since I often read about it on Twitter, CMIIW).
However, the idea of a "covid vaccine passport" is a whole new different level of absurdity. Why stop at Covid, not Polio, Tetanus, Measles, etc.?

[AakZaki]

blockchain technology has indeed become a modern technology and will be very useful to be used as a main ledger without fear of losing any data entered. However for some reason some countries are still not using it. There is still no mass adoption of the real use of blockchain. The application of the Vacsin Passport is a pretty good innovation, but not everyone is familiar with blockchain technology and it certainly looks unfamiliar.

blockchain innovation in medicine has been around for a few years, but its real application has yet to be realized, only a beta project that is not developing.

[TommyGunnn]

blockchain technology has indeed become a modern technology and will be very useful to be used as a main ledger without fear of losing any data entered. However for some reason some countries are still not using it. There is still no mass adoption of the real use of blockchain. The application of the Vacsin Passport is a pretty good innovation, but not everyone is familiar with blockchain technology and it certainly looks unfamiliar.

blockchain innovation in medicine has been around for a few years, but its real application has yet to be realized, only a beta project that is not developing.

I think we all underestimate just how early days these are in the terms of Blockchain, I imagine in 5 years we will all look back and think, how did we get by without this.

[paxmao]

I think ShareRing is already working on it.

They have a concept of COVID passports on the blockchain right here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nisaamoils/2020/08/02/sharering-uses-blockchain-to-solve-self-sovereign-identity-and-proof-of-health-simultaneously/?sh=2b5dc5363e61

I certainly like COVID passports to be integrated by blockchain technology due to it’s transparency, unhackable and tamper-proof technology. Thailand has already started implementing COVID passports, but not sure if they are using their own centralised system or blockchain technology.

I just wish other countries would be doing the same. It would be easy for travelers as long they’re showing the proof that they are completely vaccinated.

While I do not trust much economic magazines on crypto knowledge, this leads me to think that it is not such a bad idea. You do not really need a lot of infrastructure even on third world countries. Most do have a degree of connectivity, even by cell, at those points where using a health passport would make sense.

I respect arguments against it, but most of them are simply out of not understanding that there is already encrypted blockchains, encrypted execution on the blockchain, etc... So no, an spreadsheet is not the same.