China has launched a blockchain-based identity verification system, which allows citizens to authenticate online with their national ID card. But is this really a good idea?
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The system, called Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN), aims to facilitate access to public and private online services, such as banks, insurance, transportation, etc. It uses blockchain technology to store and share identity data securely and transparently.
But there is a catch: the BSN is controlled by the Chinese government, which has the power to censor, monitor and manipulate the data at will. Moreover, the BSN is not compatible with other blockchain networks, which limits its interoperability and innovation.
So, is the BSN really an example of Web3, that is, a decentralized web, based on blockchain, and token-oriented? Not really. Web3, according to the definition of Gavin Wood, the co-founder of Ethereum, is a "decentralized online ecosystem based on blockchain".
Web3 aims to empower users, by allowing them to control their own data, create and exchange digital assets, and participate in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Web3 relies on principles of openness, transparency and interoperability.
The BSN, on the other hand, is an example of centralized web, controlled by a central authority, and focused on control. The BSN does not respect the privacy, freedom and creativity of users. The BSN is rather a tool of mass surveillance, serving the authoritarian Chinese regime.
So, if you are looking for a way to verify your identity online, without compromising your security and sovereignty, you better look elsewhere. There are blockchain-based identity management solutions, which are more
user-friendly, such as IBM Digital Credentials or Dock.io