Copied


International Chamber of Commerce to Deploy Blockchain-Powered App for Tamper-Proof COVID-19 Compliance Status

Brian Njuguna   May 07, 2020 05:00


Webp.net-resizeimage (25).jpg

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has partnered with International SOS, the globe’s biggest medical and travel security services firm, to establish a new blockchain-enabled mobile app dubbed ICC AOKpass. It will be instrumental in providing trusted and immutable recognition of persons’ COVID-19 compliance status. 

People to get back on their feet

By availing a tamper-proof COVID-19 compliance status, ICC AOKpass intends to enable businesses, workers, and consumers to swiftly and safely resume economic activities. It will ensure privacy by empowering users to have full control of their medical information securely stored on their devices. 

This blockchain-based app comes to light at a time when businesses and governments are devising ways of ensuring low-risk and immune individuals get back to their workstations on the foundation of their antibodies and resistance to coronavirus.

ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO, noted, “The response to COVID-19 must be grounded in the reality that lives and livelihoods are inextricably connected. Practical solutions are needed to mitigate the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. We believe AOKpass will serve as a useful complement to government-led efforts to use leading-edge technology to enable a gradual reboot of the global economy while ensuring public health.”

Employees of International SOS based in Singapore are to take part in the piloting of this app. 

Blockchain’s verifiable mechanism

ICC decided to have the app powered by blockchain because of its transparent and secure aspects. Standards are also being developed to underpin the app so that it can be recognized across jurisdictions. 

Having been co-founded by two Singaporean startups AOKpass and Perlin, ICC AOKpass will be adaptable so that it can meet the specific needs of different countries and companies. The app is also developed in a way that it realigns itself with the latest coronavirus testing methods and best global practices.  

Arnaud Vaissie, the co-founder and CEO of International SOS, stipulated, “This effortless tool, with its total respect to data privacy, is a major break-through. Using blockchain to secure reporting of the results of international standard approved testing facilities has the capability to be a major facilitator in the return to work across many industries. In cooperation with the ICC and International SOS, it will be the leading, globally recognized, and accepted system.”

Ultimately, the blockchain-powered app is expected to aid the verification of other medical compliance and immunization records held by people. 

Blockchain-based solutions are making airwaves when it comes to combating the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, over 100 Spanish researchers recently designed an artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain-enabled app to picture the evolution of COVID-19.  

 

Image via Shutterstock

Read More