Belgium is set to play a leading role in the development of a European Blockchain infrastructure during its upcoming Council of the European Union presidency in early 2024. This visionary plan aims to transform the way official documents like driving licenses and property titles are stored and managed across the European Union. By leveraging the power of blockchain technology, Belgium aims to enhance security, transparency, and privacy while giving control back to the citizens.
To achieve this ambitious goal, Belgium’s secretary of state for digitization, Mathieu Michel, proposes the reboot of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) project. This initiative, originally launched by the European Union in 2018, will be revitalized and renamed as Europeum. The renewed project will bring together 27 EU member states, along with Norway and Liechtenstein, forming a collaborative ecosystem for public administration tasks such as verifying driving licenses and other important documents.
The choice to use a public blockchain over a private one is a strategic decision to ensure utmost security and privacy for citizens’ data. A public blockchain allows for greater control and transparency, empowering individuals with ownership of their data. This approach sets Europeum apart from private blockchains, which are prone to privacy concerns.
In addition to the European Blockchain infrastructure, Belgium’s upcoming presidency will also propose the establishment of a ‘European Algorithms Agency.’ This agency will serve as a knowledge hub, offering expert guidance and insights on the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies to policymakers, businesses, and the general public.
With these groundbreaking initiatives, the European Union demonstrates its positive interest in exploring and harnessing emerging technologies for the public sector. The potential impact of Europeum on the management and storage of digital documents in the EU is enormous. If successful, it could revolutionize the way official documents are handled, setting new standards in data security and privacy throughout the region.
FAQ:
What is Europeum?
Europeum is the revamped version of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) project. It aims to create a public blockchain infrastructure for the management of official documents across the European Union.
Why is Belgium promoting the use of a public blockchain?
Belgium believes that a public blockchain offers superior security, transparency, and privacy compared to a private blockchain. It enables citizens to maintain control over their data, addressing concerns related to data ownership and privacy.
What is the European Algorithms Agency?
The European Algorithms Agency is a proposed initiative that would serve as a knowledge center, providing expertise and guidance on the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies within the European Union.
Sources:
– Original article: [source]
– European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI): [source]