Microsoft & Accenture to provide legal IDs to over billion undocumented people

Microsoft and Accenture are teaming up to build a digital ID network using blockchain technology to give legal IDs to 1.1 billion people across the world with no official documents.

The companies unveiled a prototype of the network on Monday as part of a United Nations-supported project promoting the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of providing legal identity for everyone on the planet. The project aims to help all undocumented people like refugees to get hold of an ID that will help gain access to basic services such as education and healthcare.

With the use of Accenture’s blockchain technology, originally created for storing, recording, and transferring bitcoin securely, Microsoft looks to make personal records for every person in the world. Blockchain allows systems of different organizations to communicate with each other and using this the new platform will connect existing record-keeping systems of commercial and public entities, allowing users to access to their personal information wherever they are.

The prototype was built on top of an existing Accenture platform, which powers the biometric identity management system used by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The duo is also inviting other companies to join their project.