Austria Trials Blockchain for Securing Covid-19 Related Communications

The Austrian government is backing a fresh blockchain powered research venture, which intends to create safe methods of communication between authorities, citizens and institutions in time of difficulty.

The QualiSig venture, rolled out by Austrian firm A-Trust, having expertise in communications, will make use of the Ignis child chain, a portion of the Ardor blockchain built by Swiss company Jelurida.

Of late, QualiSig was given a grant of €60,000 ($67,300) by the Austrian government following an urgent call for enterprises requiring financing for Covid-19 study. The venture utilizes open, encrypted interaction, in addition to safe and decentralized data repository.

Citizens will have total control over their info through the use of verified digital signatures via mobile gadgets. A-Trust CEO, Michael Butz, detailed:

“The mobile phone signature, with around 1.5 million users, is a widely used tool and has stood for highly secure authentication in the digital world for ten years. With the QualiSig project, we would like to provide people living in Austria with the necessary security for secure and traceable communication in these difficult times.”

Austrian authorities are also aiding another venture created around Ignis and Ardor blockchain. The HotCity venture will utilize the technology to facilitate citizens to inform unused heat hotspots in Vienna and Graz city.