Why Should Argentina (and LatAm) Migrate Towards Verifiable Credentials?

In an increasingly digital world, having a secure, reliable, and easy-to-use identity is fundamental. Since 2020—when digital transactions became the norm—online identity verification has become a key pillar for companies to authenticate their users remotely and securely. However, the current model presents significant challenges: users must repeat the verification of their identity every time they access a new service, which is not only tedious but also increases costs and friction in the process. It is common to have to verify your identity for each bank, telephone company, or government agency, which is not only inefficient but also limits the user experience.

This is where reusable identity comes into play—a solution with the potential to transform digital interactions. This model allows users to verify their identity just once and reuse that verified credential across multiple services, eliminating the need to repeatedly provide the same information. Imagine how this technology could revolutionize “Mi Argentina,” the Argentine government’s app that centralizes a wide range of services and procedures for citizens.

Why Should Argentina Bet on Reusable Identity?

The country has made a great effort to digitalize its public services through “Mi Argentina,” an app already used by millions of citizens. However, the current model could be much more efficient if it adopted a system based on verifiable credentials. Verifiable credentials are digital versions of physical documents such as the national ID (DNI), with the advantage that the user controls when and with whom they share their information. Migrating to this model would allow the digital DNI to be used just like its physical counterpart, avoiding the need to repeatedly verify identity to access different services. This would represent a significant advancement in the government’s efforts to reduce bureaucratic burdens.

Adopting this model would bring multiple benefits. First, it would enhance security, as reusable identity minimizes the need to share the same personal information repeatedly, thereby reducing the risk of fraud and identity theft. These verifiable credentials are backed by advanced cryptography, making them extremely difficult to forge. Additionally, reusable identity promotes user privacy by allowing citizens to decide which data to share and with whom, ensuring that only the necessary information is disclosed. This not only protects privacy but also increases trust in digital systems.

Efficiency in accessing services is another key aspect. By eliminating the need for multiple identity verifications, access to services such as opening bank accounts, accessing public healthcare, and completing government procedures becomes simpler. This simplification benefits citizens while also reducing the administrative burden on the government. Moreover, adopting a reusable identity system could lead to a significant reduction in the State’s operational costs by decreasing redundant processes and yielding long-term economic savings.

For Argentina to fully capitalize on the advantages of reusable identity, certain key actions must be undertaken. The first is to foster public-private partnerships. Collaboration with the private sector can accelerate the implementation and adoption of this new model, as seen in regions like the European Union, Canada, and the United States. The State must act as a catalyst in the adoption of this technology by both companies and citizens.

Interoperability is also essential. There is no point in being able to reuse our digital identity if all our information remains in the hands of a single company. It is crucial that verifiable credentials can be used across multiple platforms and services, both nationally and internationally. Argentina has a great opportunity here, being one of the countries where QuarkID—a public standard for identity and verifiable credentials—was created and is promoted. It is equally important that the adoption of reusable identity is backed by a legal framework that protects citizens’ personal data and ensures compliance with regulations such as the Personal Data Protection Law. The country’s progress in adapting its regulations, such as the recent modification of the Digital Signature regulations, represents an opportunity to disseminate this technology and simplify citizens’ lives.

Reusable identity not only represents an evolution in the management of our digital identities but also has the potential to significantly improve the citizen experience when interacting with government, banking, and other services. The adoption of verifiable credentials could be the first step toward a future where digital identity is safer, more private, and more convenient for everyone.